Southwark Theatre, London – until 11 January 2025
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
A huge hit down under, A Very Naughty Christmas brings some rude and raunchy laughs to London this festive season.
Not as filthy as some of the adult pantos in town, this is a fast-paced cabaret filled with burlesque and comedy skits and a talented cast (Alexia Brinsley, Kirby Burgess, Shay Debney, Stephen Hirst, Jack Lark, Rachel MacDougall, Chris O’Mara and Rebecca Rolle), this will make the perfect start to a Christmas night out with your mates.
The show is an irresistible blend of chaos and slickness. With Naughty Santa (the fantastic Stephen Hirst) running the show, familiar Christmas favourites are given a twist – Walking in Women’s Underwear and Santa Loves You Less Because You’re Poor – you get the idea! Musical director Jo King and Lisa Martin provide stellar accompaniment: Kirby Burgess and Jack Lark’s vocals are incredible, and director Daniel Venz’s choreography has the cast shifting between seduction and silliness with ease.
The comedy is VERY Australian, and when it lands, is absolutely brilliant, but some jokes just don’t work, but the cast react in a flash and get the audience giggling again. There’s obviously a Rolf Harris joke (how could they not?) along with an attempt to curb Santa’s non-PC Christmas announcement, and some obligatory audience participation in Santa’s Sacrilegious Storytime as the story of the nativity is retold in chaotic style.
Get yourself on the naughty list this Christmas and have a blast at this cracker of a show.