Christmas Actually returned to the Brisbane Powerhouse in 2025, a cabaret-style confetti bomb of holiday cheer, noughties nostalgia, and grand romantic gestures.
Now in its eighth year, Christmas Actually was created by Adam Brunes and Naomi Price of The Little Red Company and the show celebrates the iconic soundtrack of Richard Curtis’ 2003 festive film Love Actually. From aging rockers and politicians to family, affairs, and first loves, Love Actually follows an ensemble cast through ten interweaving narratives in the lead-up to Christmas. Each protagonist searches for love, connection, and fulfillment despite grief, rejection, betrayal, and obligation, and finds that love can transcend time, class, language, and distance.
Christmas Actually is billed as a love letter to the film and tips its hat to all the key cinematic moments that have become cultural shorthand, including the infamous cue card confession and appearances by Hugh Grant’s dancing Prime Minister and the nativity lobster.
Little Red Company Artistic Director and co-founder Naomi Price takes the lead in Christmas Actually, both as a vocalist and as the show’s emcee. She engaged with the audience seated at cabaret tables on the floor of the Powerhouse Theatre as well as in the tiered seating banks.
Performed by four singers and a live band, Christmas Actually is a 90-minute celebration of the Love Actually soundtrack and weaves in the key beats of the movie and its characters in entertaining ways. From Joni Mitchell, Mariah Carey, and Dido to The Pointer Sisters and The Beatles, Christmas Actually roves across genres.
The songs are interspersed with short skits and Price’s patter, which referenced memorable moments from the film as well as from the past year including Katy Perry’s space flight, the Coldplay concert affair, and Lily Allen’s new album (although a joke about Charlie Kirk’s murder fell rightly flat, and references to Prince Andrew’s sex crimes didn’t fare much better, at least on opening night).
Price was supported by Luke Kennedy, Irena Lysiuk, and Tom Oliver, who all has their own moment to shine in song and in character. Lysiuk stole the show with her rendition of Dido’s Here With Me.
The band included Mik Easterman (drums), AJ Hall (bass), Damian Sim (keys), and Hemi Time (guitars). Lighting design by Sam Gibb and sound design by Geoff McGahan added to the festive atmosphere of the performance and ensured that the artists’ movements through the crowd was seamless.
Several costume changes throughout the show culminated with both Price and Lysiuk in the distinct tinsel dresses of Brisbane designer Rachel Burke for the shimmering finale.
After almost a decade on stages across the city, and now further afield at the Sydney Opera House, Cairns Performing Arts Centre, and more, Christmas Actually has become a gleeful holiday tradition for many people, as much as a rewatch of Curtis’ film.
Christmas Actually was performed at the Brisbane Powerhouse from 2 – 14 December 2025
For further information, visit the Christmas Actually website
Backstreet Brisbane 
Leave a comment