A VERY NAUGHTY CHRISTMAS
Southwark Playhouse, Elephant
28th Nov 2024 to 11th Jan, 2025
“Christmas cabaret, stand-up comedy, burlesque and naughty musical theatre all rolled into one, A Very Naughty Christmas is Australia’s most successful Christmas musical show and is coming to London for the very first time for Winter 2024.
The UK premier of A Very Naughty Christmas at Southwark Playhouse Elephant will star Australian actors Kirby Burgess (The Great Gatsby, Elvis, The Voice Australia), Shay Debney (Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Queensland Ballet), Alexia Brinsley (Magic Mike Live! Australia), Rebecca Rolle (A Very Naughty Christmas Australia), Jack Lark (Jack ‘n’ Gin), British actors Chris O’Mara (Cabaret) and Rachel MacDougall (The King and I) with Australian actor Stephen Hirst (Elvis, A Very Naughty Christmas Australia), filling the boots of Bad Santa for the eight consecutive year. Live music for the show will be performed by professional percussionist Lisa Martin (ABBA Voyage, SIX) and Musical Director Joanne King.
Australian actors Stephen Hirst, Shay Debney and Rebecca Rolle have all starred in the A Very Naughty Christmas Australia and now reprise their roles for the show’s London debut; Australian actors Alexia Brinsley and Jack Lark make their UK stage debut; award winning Australian film actress and singer Kirby Burgess stars in the show for the first time; young British actress Rachel MacDougall from Gurnsey appears on the UK stage for only the second time following her West End debut in The King and I at the Dominion Theatre earlier this year alongside Scottish actor and Gym Shark model Chris O’Mara who joins the cast after two years at the Kit Kat Club.
A Very Naughty Christmas is a spectacular, sexy, silly, naughty and hilarious take on Christmas which is strictly for over 18s only”
Review by Richard Lambert, 5 Stars
As you can see from the photos, this is a fun musical cabaret with festive naughtiness for a fabulous night out. While you can catch adult pantomimes, Spiegeltent circus acts and bawdy drag Queen panto renditions at this time of year, we’ve all done that already. So why not try this one, an international success from down under, fresh on the London scene and something that’s unique and different. It’s very “saucy seaside postcard” style, very tongue in cheek, and absolutely brilliant!
Yes, you can bring your partner, parents or even grand-parents to this one (well they do have matinees) and be guaranteed not only a lot of fun but also some exceptionally high quality talent in the performance of the cast. With comedic timing, golden vocals, sexy burlesque routines and West-end quality dancing what more could you ask for?
Well maybe a live band, dazzling lighting, top-notch choreography that includes a tap dance number, great sexy costumes, dildos – yep, even got all that! And how many shows now have a live band plus 8 in the cast? There might not be any full nudity but it comes pretty close with one of the numbers being an updated version of the balloon dance but with large cards instead of balloons. Impeccably performed without any cock-ups. Sadly.
While laughing and loving this show I was thinking of all my friends that I should have invited to go with me who would have had such a great time. A second visit is definitely needed! While the World’s in turmoil, escape and treat yourself to see this show!
Photo credit: Mark Senior
UK Creative Team
Alex Woodward – Executive Producer and Creator
Pip Brignall – General Manager for Glass Half Full Productions
Daniel Venz – Creator, Global Direction and Choreography
Alister Smith – Creative Contributor
Dominic Woodhead – Associate Musical Director
Jo King – Musical Director
Joseph Edward Thomas for Studio JET – Lighting Designer
Dan Hunt – Sound Designer
Ceci Calfe – Set & Costume Design adapted for the UK
Isaac Lumis – Associate Costume Designer
Caroline-Alice Stevens – Costume Supervisor
Matt Semple – Skit Writer
Emily Kristopher – Skit Writer
Stephen Hirst – Skit Writer
Cup of Ambition – Marketing
Tory Lyne-Pirkis – PR
Jack Boissieux – Production Manager for JBPM
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 1 Dante Place, London, SE11 4RX
Getting There: The nearest stations are Borough and Elephant & Castle
Box Office Link: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/a-very-naughty-christmas/
Age Guidance: Strictly 18+. No under 18s will be admitted to the show.
Performance Dates & Times:
- 28 November – 11 January
- Mon, Tue, Weds: 7pm
- Thurs, Fri: 6pm & 8.30pm
- Sat: 4pm & 7.30pm
- Sunday: No performance.
- NB check website for performance timings over Christmas
Ticket Prices:
- Standard: £24
- Concessions: £19
- Cabaret table (4 People): £180
- Pioneers’ Preview (28 Nov) £10
- Previews (29 Nov – 2 Dec): £16