Skip to main content
A man and a woman stare intently at small puppets of people.

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings Inspired by the story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Term 3

Primary - High School: Stage 3 – 6, Years 5 – 12
Learning areas: Creative Arts, English and Drama

A magic-realist gem of theatre and storytelling from Ireland, using a combination of music, puppetry and live video projection.

Fifty minutes of near theatrical perfection.

The Arts Review

Useful information:

A rich exploration of human nature

For students who love exquisite, beautifully crafted theatre, a magical realist gem inspired by legendary novelist Gabriel García Márquez’s darkly comic fairy tale, Un señor muy viejo con unas alas enormes. 

In a kitchen, in a theatre, two storytellers and their audience discover something remarkable – a very old man with enormous wings – and invite us to speculate who he is. A neighbour believes he’s an angel, a priest claims he’s an imposter.  Pilgrims flock to see him, hoping to be healed by him. They leave with something different than what they expected. 

Winner of Best Design at the Dublin Fringe (2019), talented theatre maker Dan Colley has created a perfect show for students gorgeously formed around music, puppetry and live video, but also thoughtful and emotionally rich in its exploration of human nature. 

Sydney Opera House presents a Dan Colley and Riverbank Arts Centre production of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings

Watch the trailer

Join our family of teachers and educators

Hear about upcoming performance and workshops for schools, along with the latest digital resources for students and teachers.

Sign up to our newsletter

Plan your visit

Excursions at the Opera House

A Day Out at the House

Offer your students to an unforgettable day out at the Sydney Opera House with our new curated program. Students can attend a Creative Learning Performance or Workshop onsite accompanied by a Walking Tour of our internationally renowned performing arts centre, all in time to back by the final school bell.

A group of girls wave at the camera in school uniform. The Sydney Opera House sails are seen blurry in the background.

Arts Assist

Does your School need financial assistance to attend a Sydney Opera House excursion?

Schools Tour

Filled with stories that demonstrate the power of creativity, students join a guided tour to learn how architect Jørn Utzon created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of 20th century architecture.

A young girl wearing a school uniform stares out a window in a Sydney Opera House foyer. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is seen in the background.

Checking availability