theatre review - Whats The Show

A Very Naughty Christmas – Naughty and Nice

15 December 2023 Bee Hayward

Woodward Productions’ A Very Naughty Christmas does exactly what it says on the tin and does it exceedingly well. Both hilarious and heartwarming, this raunchy Christmas cabaret had me laughing non-stop for the full eighty-minute run time.

It’s sparkly, sexy, spectacular, side-splitting, and, of course, very naughty. Get ready to hear your favourite carols as you’ve never heard them before, alongside some dazzling dancing, burlesque, skits and stand-up. But be warned, as executive producer Alex Woodward said: “Melbourne audiences are going straight on Santa’s naughty list.

The show features a cast of eight exceptionally talented performers, each bringing unique and distinctive flair to the performance. Not only are they all hilarious, but they are also captivating. Each of them has incredible vocal talent, impressive dance ability, and a knack for comedy. I can’t stress enough just how remarkable they are.

This show is comedic gold, but it’s also a showcase of some of Melbourne’s finest talent. There’s something magical and hilarious about seeing your favourite Christmas tunes performed by this stellar cast, accompanied by the naughtiest lyrics and just a little bit of nudity.

Aside from being incredibly gifted performers, this cast also knows how to engage an audience. Their energy and excitement were contagious – I felt like I was a part of the show (and owing to the amount of audience involvement, at one point, I really was!).

The atmosphere was welcoming and inviting, and the set and costumes were bright and colourful. Every aspect of the show contributed to that classic and cozy Christmas feeling with a cheeky twist. Indeed, carolling has never been sexier.

Not for the easily offended, this Christmas comedy spectacular is a must-see. A Very Naughty Christmas is running at the Alex Theatre until December 23rd. Do yourself a favour and grab a ticket. You might end up on the naughty list, but trust me, it’s worth it.

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Dark Stories Theatre Reviews to see what else is on in your town.

Devilishly Pleasing – The History Of The Devil

27 November 202327 November 2023 Ophelia Novak

When looking at titles at Metro Arts this month, The History Of The Devil, presented by Polymorphic Productions, is one that was of immediate interest to any horror lover, especially when seeing the playwright’s name. Clive Barker is a UK-based, iconic horror writer known for his wit, gritty characters and tackling taboo subjects- and this play, performed at the Metro Arts New Benner Theatre, was no exception.

From the outset, the audience was warned of adult themes, including sexual assault, racism and coarse language. The set was of a bare-bones design, as the story, both geographically and historically, time travelled, so the use of lighting and sound created the atmosphere. They took the audience from the UK to Kenya in believable fashions, and although sometimes the sound obscured voices, the strategy was very effective.

The story revolves around the Devil’s desire to return to Heaven, but he must first face a trial for his actions on Earth. Witness the courtroom drama as Judge Popper, defence attorney Sam Kyle, and chief prosecutor Catherine Lamb engage in a high-stakes legal battle over the fate of the Devil.

Outstanding and charismatic performances came from the cast, but especially from Connor Scoble as the Devil himself and Lisa Hickey as Ms Lamb, the passionate lawyer (among other characters). They made this play fast-moving, funny and enjoyable to watch.

With all actors playing at least two roles, this was a complex, moving feast and the transitions were played flawlessly between scenes, with virtually seamless characters and costume changes. It was hard to believe the high skill level on display, given this was the first showing.

I recommend The History Of The Devil to anyone who is open to delving into the darker themes mentioned to get down and see the History of the Devil. This was an excellently staged, witty play, and you’re in expert hands with this cast and crew.

Dates:- 28th Nov – 16th Dec
Duration:- Approximately 170 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.
Age:- Recommended for ages 15+
Session Dates/Times:-

Tuesday, 28 Nov 2023, 7:00pm
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2023, 7:00pm
Thursday, 30 Nov 2023, 7:00pm
Friday, 1 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Saturday, 2 Dec 2023, 2:00pm MATINEE
Saturday, 2 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Wednesday, 6 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Thursday, 7 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Friday, 8 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Saturday, 9 Dec 2023, 2:00pm MATINEE
Saturday, 9 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Tuesday, 12 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Wednesday, 13 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Thursday, 14 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Friday, 15 Dec 2023, 7:00pm
Saturday, 16 Dec 2023, 2:00pm MATINEE
Saturday, 16 Dec 2023, 7:00pm

Coarse Language, Horror, Mature and controversial themes, Morbid Humor, Offensive language, References and depictions of Sexual Assault, Religious themes, Themes of trauma, Violence, Haze/smoke effects, Loud Noises, Strobe Lighting Effects, Please note a lockout period applies. Latecomers may be admitted at a suitable break in the performance.

Photography: Emma Stratton dilemmazdigitals@gmail.com

Check out more reviews here at Dark Stories Theatre Reviews to see what else is on in your town.

Spudtastic – The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race

26 November 2023 Rebecca Yeo

The Appleton Ladies Potato Race premiered at Hunters Hill Theatre earlier this month and has viewers take a trip to the rural town of Appleton.

The play, inspired by actual events, follows the return of city-trained doctor Penny to her rural hometown just in time for the annual potato race. The yearly potato race is the backdrop for an entertaining and thought-provoking tale.

The narrative centres around the return of city-trained doctor Penny (played by Caroline Lloyd) to her quaint rural hometown just in time for the much-anticipated potato race. However, the atmosphere takes a turn when Penny uncovers a startling disparity in the prize money – $1000 for men and $200 for women. The Appleton Ladies Potato Race shows Penny’s journey as she navigates small-town politics and challenges the status quo in her pursuit of justice.

The cast’s performances are nothing short of commendable. I felt the character of Nikki (played by Tonia Davis) captured the essence of rural life and was a standout performance. Caroline Lloyd as Penny perfectly blended city sophistication and small-town charm. The supporting cast also added some humour and authenticity to the play. As an ensemble, I think all the cast worked well together to keep us engaged.

Jennifer Willison was the director and really nailed getting to the characters’ hearts while keeping with the comedic elements. The set design echoes the charm of a small town with a beautiful backdrop and complementary sound design.

This play is a must-see for great storytelling and performance. It is successful in balancing entertainment with an exploration of societal issues. Bravo to the cast and crew for bringing this story to life on the stage. The Appleton Ladies Potato Race can be seen until December Third at Hunters Hill Theatre, so you better catch it while you can!

Remaining Sessions

Friday 1st Dec, 7:30pm
Saturday 2nd Dec, 2pm
Saturday 2nd Dec, 7:30pm
Sunday 3rd Dec, 2pm

Club Ryde, 728 Victoria Road, Ryde, 2112

This review also appears on It’s On The House, and check out more reviews at Dark Stories Theatre Reviews to see what else is on in your town.

Ho Ho Ho – A Savage Christmas

25 November 2023 Rebecca Yeo

Prepare for things to get savage in the latest Australian Christmas flick from director Madeleine Dyer. In A Savage Christmas, transwoman Davina heads home after three years.

Davina anticipates the spotlight to shine on her transition but is surprised as family secrets and lies come to light. These revelations pose a threat to not only their lives but also to another Christmas lunch. A Savage Christmas is a fun addition to a long list of films centred around Christmas.

In A Savage Christmas, we meet the Savage family. Their Christmas day is set to be much like their last name – Savage! The family get together to celebrate the jolly day over lunch. Each family member brings their own issues that come to light as the day progresses. Can the family mend their relationships, or will this year be their last family Christmas?

The ensemble cast of characters successfully demonstrated believability as a dysfunctional family, each with a unique story. Some well-known actors pop up to add another comedy element to the story. We saw supporting roles from the likes of Gary Sweet as a thug and Rachel Griffith as a doctor.

The film’s writers have crafted a group of eccentric characters in amusing situations with witty dialogue delivered from some new and familiar faces.
Throughout the film, we glimpse the typical Australian humour paired with some important topics such as gender identity and adoption.

At times, almost too many topics were included, unfortunately ensuring that most were only partially explored. It was refreshing, however, to see two trans characters take the lead in this movie.

The final scenes highlight the significance of family and forgiveness, which viewers may recognise as relatable to their own family chaos.

This is not one that I would add to my regular yearly Christmas viewing, but it is a lighthearted flick that provides comedic relief during a busy time of the year and is well worth a viewing.

Check your local cinema for session viewing times.

This review also appears on It’s On The House, with more reviews at Dark Stories Theatre Reviews to see what else is on in your town.

Connect Online