A classic holiday movie such as 'Love Actually' doesn’t come around once a year, it comes around just once – so the opportunity to check out 'Christmas Actually' – the concert version of this festive-themed and dearly-loved romantic comedy, is pretty special!
Brisbane's La Boite Theatre Company is home again this year to 'Christmas Actually', and Queensland’s own Naomi Price is both a writer and performer of the show which blends together the talents of musicians and singers to create warm feels and a great theatre-loving atmosphere.“I love the film so much and have watched it avidly every single year since it’s come out every Christmas, like probably everyone does, but also watched it kind of obsessively – not even at Christmas, with one of my girlfriends about ten years ago,” Naomi says. “So, I’ve ended up just falling in love with the film itself, and so knowing the film quite intimately and being such a huge fan of it, it didn’t feel too difficult to stage a concert of the music and have those really cute, quirky references in there.”
'Christmas Actually' received rave reviews and much adoration last year from audiences so it's back, same place, and virtually the same calendar-slot because there’s little to no tweaking required when you got it right the first time.
“I think performing the show at La Boite Theatre Company in the Roundhouse Theatre and also in the studio at the Sydney Opera House definitely helps because they’re both really intimate rooms where the audience are very close to the performers and to the action,” Naomi reflects. “We have cabaret seating in the venue which I think helps you to feel a lot more relaxed as opposed to sitting in a formal theatre setting.
“We do have a bespoke cocktail by Archie Rose which really does help to loosen everybody up and they made us an amazing Christmas cocktail with their signature gin so that’s also a pretty decent way to get everybody in the Christmas spirit.”
There is no denying that live theatre, when delivered well, packs quite a punch and can’t really be beaten.
“People can’t help but sing along to 'All You Need Is Love' or 'Christmas Is All Around', 'The Trouble With Love Is' by Kelly Clarkson. People just know this music, and they’ve listened to it for years as part of the soundtrack of their favourite Christmas film.”
Naomi elaborates further on the huge success of the show thus far, and explains why she feels it’s an opportune time to come along and see it.
“When we premiered 'Christmas Actually' all of us were really shocked and taken aback at how electric the atmosphere is. I think it’s the time of year when everyone’s feeling quite burnt out, tired, you know, you’re wrapping up another year – it’s a lot of pressure I think on people in December, and I remember last year just feeling like the whole show felt like a massive hug for the audience.
“It’s important to acknowledge that people might have had a rough year, and might have experienced a lot of heartache or difficulty in the year and so to be able to come and just relax, turn all of that off for an hour and a half and feel like you're amongst friends and family, I think that’s really an important experience to give people in December.”
