It might be Silly Season for those of us working in the media, but for the performing arts, the Christmas period is plenty serious – a time to celebrate, bring in family audiences and capitalise on the festive spirit.

 

On tour

Love Actually – A Musical Parody (2024). Photo © Nicole Cleary

The festive season takes on a Irish lilt in the music and dance variety show A Celtic Christmas. It plays in Canberra on 12 December; Hobart’s Theatre Royal on 14 December; Frankston Victoria on 17 December; Geelong on 18 December; the Adelaide Festival Centre on 20 December, the State Theatre Sydney on 20 December,] and at the Gold Coast’s HOTA on 22 December. Visit this link for details.

Not touring as such, but the Off-Broadway send-up, Love Actually? The Musical Parody has three productions happening in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Same show – different casts! Everything you need to know is here.

 

New South Wales

Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn

Cast members of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, Hayes Theatre Co, 2024. Photo © Robert Catto

Riverside...