Andy Mossack reviews A Very Naughty Christmas. A very different spin to traditional Christmas festivities.
Not your usual festive family show perhaps, but nevertheless a riotous take on Christmas in a show that has become something of an annual tradition in Australia. Now in it’s eighth consecutive year, and finally landing in London, this is a cabaret-style musical full of bawdy Aussie humour that positively revels in taking the mickey out of every festive stereotype, never mind the sexual innuendos hurtling towards you at machine gun speed.
It’s all in the worst possible taste yet still manages to bring an unabashed smile to your face from start to finish.
Produced by Australian outfit Woodward Productions A Very Naughty Christmas is the brainchild of Australian theatre bad boys Alex Woodward and Daniel Venz, who’s brand of coarse comedy has sold over 40,000 tickets in Australia.
The Southwark Playhouse Elephant is a small theatre so there’s no hiding place for the cast or the audience, making it all the more, (and I’m reluctantly using the words) intimate and exposed. Christmas songs are parodied, as is the whole Nativity story (with audience participation), there’s well-choreographed dance routines, some excellent singing, and more than a few funny routines. My particular favourite was a sketch about Santa’s annual address to the world where his PR is taking him through the phrases and words that are not considered appropriate any longer in this day and age.
The nods to burlesque are seriously impressive, particularly one routine where gift boxes are covering up otherwise naked body parts.
We may have not heard of any of the eight strong cast on this side of world, but the whole company led by an energetic Stephen Hirst as Santa along with Rebecca Rolle, Alexia Brinsley, Kirby Burgess, Shay Debney, Rachel MacDougall, Chris O’Mara and Jack Lark all contribute individually and collectively to a full 90 minutes of non-stop filthy fun.
Do all the jokes travel well from down under to London? Most of them do, there’s a song about kangaroos which is thankfully explained beforehand, and Aussie rock band Divinyls big hit ‘I Touch Myself’ is mercilessly parodied with ‘I touch my elf’ which is funny, but obviously would appeal even more to an Aussie audience.
Get a taste of A Very Naughty Christmas before it ends its run on January 11. Srtrictly over 18s only.
Tell me more about A Very Naughty Christmas
A Very Naughty Christmas runs from November 28 – January 11 2025 at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant.
Ticket Prices: Standard from £24 Concessions from £19 Cabaret Table (4 tickets) from £180
