Fans of the beloved Christmas classic Love Actually will soon have the chance to experience a unique take on the film with the stage adaptation Love Actually? The Musical Parody, set to premiere on Australia’s east coast this holiday season. Following extensive auditions across the country, the production has revealed not one, but three casts that will perform in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, showcasing a diverse mix of talent that includes not only seasoned stage veterans, but also impressionists, stand-up comedians, and internationally touring artists. The producers have described the production as “pure festive chaos.”
In Sydney, the cast lineup features prominent performers including Ellis Dolan from The Rocky Horror Show 50th Anniversary Tour and School of Rock, along with Tommy James Green from The Fox and the Hunter and Hamish Pickering from Hello, Asteroid. Other notable cast members include Gracie Rowland (Josephine Wants to Dance), Bash Nelson (Once on This Island), and Brittany Morton (Into the Woods).
Melbourne’s version will introduce audiences to talents such as Mitchell Groves from Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical, Belinda Jenkin of Friends! The Musical Parody, and Jeremy Harland from A Zoom Group Project: The Musical. Ian Andrew and Sophie Loughran will also perform, alongside Massimo Zuccara from Opera Australia’s production of West Side Story.
Brisbane’s cast is no less impressive, featuring Dylan Hodge from Legally Blonde The Musical, William Kasper from Rate of Decay, and multi-award-winning actor Ashton Simpson, known for his role in Romeo & Juliet. This eclectic mix promises to bring something special to each performance.
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Associate Producer Ashley Tickell describes the show saying, “This show is like Christmas dinner after a few too many champagnes — loud, ridiculous, and way too much fun.” The musical follows nine endearing couples navigating the complexities of love in London, parodying the original 2003 rom-com with humorous songs like “He’s The Prime Minister of Rom Coms” and “Keira Knightley Actually”.
Initially premiering in Australia in 2024, Love Actually? The Musical Parody received glowing reviews, being labeled as “fabulously hilarious and laugh out loud entertainment” by Musicals Reviewed, and praised as “a surefire way to get into the festive spirit” by Toorak Times. It combines cheeky humor, catchy tunes, and an irreverent homage to one of the most cherished Christmas films, establishing itself as an unconventional holiday tradition.
Performance dates are set for Sydney’s Darling Quarter Theatre from November 27 to December 23, followed by Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from December 5 to 23, and concluding at Brisbane Showgrounds from December 11 to 21. Tickets are available starting at $69 through the show’s official website. Whether audiences have a deep affection for the original film or come with a more skeptical view, Tickell assures, “You will actually love this musical.”
