Opera lovers will soon be able to own a piece of Australian opera history, with Opera Australia announcing a clearance sale of props and costumes at its storehouse in Alexandria. Thousands of old costumes and props from retired productions that will no longer be used will be put on sale to the public, with prices starting as low as $2. The warehouse itself is also up for sale due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company’s revenue, which has seen OA make sweeping redundancies across the company including 16 musicians in the orchestra.

Opera Australia costumes

The prop and costume sale will run over two weekends with pre-booked hourly sessions to ensure no over-crowding – a maximum of 60 people will be allowed in per 60-minute session – and shoppers will be temperature checked on entry and encouraged to wear masks.

According to OA, items for sale include aeroplane seats, a life-sized prop horse, a vintage army bed, paintings, cupid sculptures, daybeds, a chaise lounge, fake rocks and enormous wicker baskets, as well as a variety of tables and even prop urinals.

Costumes – some complete with bloodstains – include military...