Kicking off the festive season with well-known tunes, a liberal sprinkling of laughs and a dancing lobster, Christmas Actually is a rollicking good time sure to have audience members dancing in the aisles.
For the uninitiated, Christmas Actually takes the songs of the hit movie Love Actually and brings them to the stage, complete with a live band and guest performers. Throw in some Carols by Candlelight-style sing-a-longs and the film’s more humorous elements, and you’ve got a good idea of what to expect.
Released in 2003, Love Actually is a feel-good British Christmas rom-com known for its wide-ranging soundtrack, and the film’s most memorable songs are all present in Christmas Actually, including tracks by The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, The Beach Boys and Mariah Carey.
While being familiar with the film will help audience members understand Christmas Actually’s many comedic references, it is possible to see and enjoy the show without having seen the film, as most of the songs and featured Christmas carols are popular crowd-pleasers.
The Little Red Company (Rumour Has It, Your Song, Fancy Long Legs) has been staging the show in Brisbane since 2018, and it has steadily become a seasonal tradition, with repeat guests seeing the show year after year. As the crowd mingled before the show on opening night there was a palpable buzz of excitement, with audience members adorned with flashing lights, tinsel, sequins and reindeer headbands. There’s even a roving Santa for photo opportunities.
Created by Adam Brunes and Naomi Price, the show does not disappoint, inducing plenty of feel-good vibes in the run-up to Christmas. Price commands the stage with powerhouse vocals and bucket-loads of charisma, opening the show with her best Bill Nighy impersonation for ‘Christmas is all Around’.
Price carries the 90-minute production through cleverly-paced comic highs and more emotionally resonant moments, including her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides Now’.
Backing singers Luke Kennedy, Irena Lysiuk and Tom Oliver are not to be outdone, with each stepping into the spotlight to belt out their own numbers. The band and audio production teams are faultless, with guitarist Hemi Time a standout for his soulful solos.
Christmas Actually: cabaret seating
Despite the large venue, the warm lighting brings an intimacy to proceedings, as does the cabaret table seating directly in front of the stage. If you’re seeing the show with a group, it’s a good idea to try to nab one of these limited tables as they are the best seats in the house.
Audience participation is encouraged, with the cast venturing off the stage multiple times. Keep an eye out for some of the film’s most loved scenes, including dance moves made famous by Hugh Grant, and the heartfelt placard scene which is given its own unique spin by Price.
Christmas Actually ends with a bang, with the two-song encore getting the entire audience dancing and laughing as the cast show off their impressive vocal ranges. It is clear from the standing ovation that this is a well-received show sure to spread joy and festive cheer.
Fresh from a stint at the Opera House, this year Christmas Actually will also tour Queensland with stops including Cairns, Caloundra and the Gold Coast.
Christmas Actually is at the Brisbane Powerhouse from 2-14 December, The Events Centre, Caloundra on 12 December, Logan Entertainment Centre on 13 December, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast on 19 December and at the Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland on 20 December.
Christmas Actually is recommended for ages 15+.
