What is the best way to appreciate Love Actually? The Musical Parody?
Even though the irreverent script deviates somewhat from the 2003 movie Love Actually, familiarity with the beloved film is undoubtedly the answer.
I hadn’t seen the flick, set in London in the lead up to Christmas, since it was first released and, to be candid, I couldn’t remember all that much about it.
That was to my decided disadvantage.
Photos by Nicole Cleary
Mind you, given the laughter all around me, I must have been in the minority for Love Actually has become a holiday classic.
In short, Love Actually? The Musical Parody is 90 minutes of mayhem and madness. Like the film, it has a series of interconnected characters woven into the storyline.
The six actors play multiple roles with distinction. They sing, they dance, they pout and pontificate with alacrity.
They assume the names of the stars of the film – Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and Keira Knightley et al.
The British Prime Minister, who falls for a young staffer and steps out with Billy Bob Thornton, is another of prominence.
Also playing a key role as a love cad is Professor Severus Snape from Harry Potter.
Then there is substance affected muso Billy Mac, whose manager wants him to re-release a song with cocaine in its title as a Christmas fancy.
The vignettes move along at pace and the sextet (Ian Andrew, Mitchell Groves, Belinda Jenkin, Sophie Loughran, Jeremy Harland and Massimo Zuccara) doesn’t miss a beat.
Their musicality and dexterity are to be admired.
Props, such as a couple of stand-alone red doors and a Christmas tree, capture the mood of the season.
The wigs and costuming are evocative and add to the hilarity.
And “yes”, Love Actually? The Musical Parody contains blue material – mighty funny blue material at that – such as the friendly romp or two, complete with moving sheet.
I must say that I am now driven to see the film again and then attend Love Actually? The Musical Parody a second time.
With book and lyrics by Bob and Tobly McSmith, and music by Basil Winterbottom, the Australian premiere of this outrageous, delicious show goes down a treat.
It opened off Broadway five years ago and is set to delight a new audience Down Under.
It is playing at Athenaeum Theatre until 23rd December, 2024.
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