Did you know we’ve been doing this for 8 years!?!? What the f*ck? Amazing! Eight years ago we never imagined we would be bringing this show to London for its debut. Unlike you Brits, us Aussies don’t have a panto culture and we were one of the first Christmas shows in Australia to cater towards a non family/religious market. After you sent us away to the colonies 200 years ago, we are stoked to be back.
First and foremost, thank you to the incredible actors, creatives and production team who work on this show, both now and over the last eight years. Without you, this show wouldn’t happen year after year. Dan Venz - you are beyond incredible and I’m so grateful you came on board back in 2017 to do this show. A monumental thank you needs to go to our general managers at Glass Half Full, Pip, Leila and Gareth who managed to get swindled over a cup of coffee into helping us put this show on.
Thank you to all the performers and creatives over the years who’ve made this show what it is. There are countless to name!
Thank you to Claire, who’s been with the company a year now and has championed this Queensland-made work, always going above and beyond!
Chi, thank you for being the marketing dream queen, love love love you!
To our originating performers Aurélie Roque, Emily Kristopher and Stephen Hirst who’ve been here since 2017. Thank you for coming back year on year to deliver amazing performances and new writing - the show wouldn’t be the same without you! Matthew Semple for always coming up with hilarious content for the show. It’s been eight years you’ve been working on this and we couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you to all our creatives, Alister, Emily, Ben, Joshie, Declan, Trent, Marcello, Isaac and his team of costume makers and of course our SM teams in all cities!
Thank you to the one and only Joel Devereux for images to post to the high heavens, the brilliant design work from Sean and the team at Dowling Design, Optikal Bloc for the videos so we can rave about our show and thank you to Kris Stewart for giving us the chance to put this show on back in 2017.
And duh! The audience!
Thanks for coming back year after year to enjoy the silly season in the best possible way. We hope you all enjoy the show as much as they do back home.
WOODWARD PRODUCTIONS: ELEVATING
THEATRE EXPERIENCES GLOBALLY
Since 2016, Woodward Productions has been bringing world-class theatre to audiences in Queensland, Australia, and internationally. With a passion for “gateway theatre,” we aim to attract new audience members and tell stories that reflect our diverse Australian communities.
OUR PRODUCTIONS
We are proud of our extensive repertoire, which includes over 20 musicals, concerts, and plays. Our standout works include the thrilling Sherlock Holmes - The Mystery of the Valkyrie, the comedic hit A Very Naughty Christmas (returning for its eighth consecutive year in Australia and London in 2024), the bold Plied and Prejudice, and Caroline O’Connor’s concert From Broadway With Love. Other notable productions include Boys of Sondheim (Brisbane and Sydney), Weathering Well (24-date regional QLD tour), and the Australian premiere of Yank! A WWII Love Story as part of Brisbane’s MELT Festival.
Recently, we successfully concluded the Australian tour of The Woman in Black, which welcomed over 75,000 audience members across eight cities. We also serve as General Managers and Executive Producers for Prospero Arts, overseeing productions like Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at QPAC, and we are thrilled to collaborate on the Australian premiere of Peter and the Starcatcher with esteemed international production houses.
OUR VISION
With a commitment to delivering exceptional theatre experiences, Woodward Productions continues to push creative boundaries and engage audiences worldwide through innovative and diverse productions.
ALEX WOODWARD
Executive Producer and Creator
Alex Woodward is an accomplished producer with nearly two decades of experience in Queensland’s performing arts scene. As the driving force behind Woodward Productions, he has have established himself as a leader in creating dynamic and engaging theatrical experiences.
Notable productions include the critically acclaimed Australian tour of The Woman in Black, which captivated over 75,000 audience members, and the Brisbane hit Plied and Prejudice, which showcased the companies talent for producing innovative, audiencefocused work. Each year, the companies adults-only Christmas sensation A Very Naughty Christmas draws sell-out crowds, cementing its reputation as a seasonal must-see.
In 2024, Alex expanded internationally with a London production of A Very Naughty Christmas, a career-defining opportunity that underscores their growing global impact. With a proven track record of audience growth and creative excellence, they are committed to furthering the reach and success of Queensland theatre on a global stage and continuing to create “gateway theatre”.
DAN VENZ
Creator, Global Direction & Choreography
Dan Venz’s passion for the stage began in preschool, directing and starring in his own sandpit productions. After a 12-year hiatus, he launched his professional career with Raw Dance Company, touring Australia as a dancer in Urban Wonderland. Onstage, Dan has captivated audiences in roles such as Hanschen (Spring Awakening), Tinman (The Wizard of Oz), Atreyu (The Neverending Story), Skimbleshanks (Cats), and in the BOY&GIRL cabaret series, alongside various corporate and festival performances.
Offstage, Dan is a celebrated director, choreographer, and movement director. His credits include movement direction for Queensland Theatre’s First Casualty, Shake and Stir Theatre Company’s James and the Giant Peach and Fourteen.
Dan’s work with Woodward Productions is particularly notable. He has been the movement director for Plied and Prejudice and choreographed Sweet Charity and Yank! A WWII Love Story. Since 2017, Dan has also been the lead director and choreographer for A Very Naughty Christmas, further cementing his reputation as an innovative force in musical theatre and cabaret.
Clare Dix
Producer and General Manager
Claire joined Woodward Productions in 2023 as Associate Producer and General Manager. In 2024 she helped deliver Jersey Boys at QPAC, The Woman in Black Tour and Produced and Managed the season of Plied and Prejudice in Northshore Hamilton.
Claire has a Bachelor of Music and a background in delivering incredible events with festivals around the country, including Producing Brisbane Festival’s Salamander, delivering Perth Festival’s Bjork concert and multiple seasons of Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Claire brings her passion for events and commitment to delivering exciting and engaging works to Brisbane. She is passionate about making Brisbane and Queensland a hub for creative arts and events.
A VERY NAUGHTY HISTORY
From
beginnings in
In 2020 with new COVID restrictions on audience capacity we moved into the Powerhouse Theatre and we were the
In 2021 we continued upstairs at the Brisbane Powerhouse to our biggest audiences ever.
humble
2017, downstairs in the Visy Theatre at Brisbane Powerhouse
In 2018 the show continued at Brisbane Powerhouse and welcomed 2000 patrons
In 2019 the show moved away from having a storyline and became more of the variety comedy concert it is today
venue’s best attended show of 2020.
In 2022 we took a huge leap of faith and moved the show to the Roundhouse Theatre, La Boite in order to put the show back into a 3 sided setting and also presented in Sydney and Melbourne.
And in 2024, we’re sending Santa intercontinental as we open in London for the first time, taking on our longest running season yet!
London Cast 2024
London Cast 2024
LONDON CAST
STEPHEN HIRST
A Very Naughty Christmas’ original Bad Santa, Stephen Hirst is a seasoned performer with over two decades of experience. Notable roles include Macbeth in Macbeth (Brisbane Shakespeare Festival), Jon in Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (Offside Theatre), and Franklin Shepard in Merrily We Roll Along (AD Astra). He worked with Baz Luhrmann on Elvis and has featured in numerous TV commercials and films in Australia. 2024 will mark his eighth year performing in A Very Naughty Christmas.
KIRBY BURGESS
An experienced film and musical theatre actress, Kirby has starred in roles such as ‘Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman’ in Dirty Dancing, ‘Rizzo’ in Grease, ‘Heather Chandler’ in Heathers, the high energy cheerleading star ‘Campbell’ in Bring It On, ‘Kathryn Merteuil’ in Cruel Intentions and the high flying ‘Ringmaster’ in Barnum earning her a ’Green Room Award’ nomination for Best Supporting Actress. 2020 saw her taking Australian TV audiences by storm on The Voice Australia. Other TV and film credits include featured roles on Network Ten’s Wonderland and Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby.
SHAY DEBNEY
Shay Debney trained full-time at The Australian Ballet School and The Victorian College of the Arts, going on to performed in prestigious productions across Australia, including Strictly Gershwin with Queensland Ballet, Lord of the Flies with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, and the Australian tour of The Wizard of Oz. Earlier this year, Shay appeared in the children’s show Mojo & Jimmy at the Edinburgh Fringe after moving to London. Other credits include Bright Star, Singin’ in the Rain, and The Producers. Since 2020, Shay has been a core cast member of A Very Naughty Christmas in Australia, where he originated his role. This season of A Very Naughty Christmas marks Shay’s London stage debut.
REBECCA ROLLE
Rebecca is thrilled to be rejoining the cast of A Very Naughty Christmas to make her London debut. Before relocating to London, Rebecca performed as Nurse Faith in The Marvellous Elephant Man at the Sydney Fringe Festival. She has toured extensively with CDP Theatre Producers in popular productions such as The Gruffalo’s Child and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Other stage credits include playing Olivia in Twelfth Night (Fingerless Theatre), Sirius in Alphabetical Sydney (Critical Stages), and Ensemble in Sweet Charity (Woodward Productions).
ALEXIA BRINSLEY
Alexia Brinsley is a musical theatre performer and improviser, who has toured with ‘Impromptunes’ and ‘The Big Hoohaa’ to comedy festivals in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Edinburgh. Alexia’s breakout comedy role was the female MC in the Australian tour of Channing Tatum’s ‘Magic Mike Live. Now based in London, she makes her UK acting debut in A Very Naughty Christmas.
JACK LARK
Jack hails from Tasmania, Australia, where his love for theatre and gin led to the creation of the unique cabaret Jack ‘n’ Gin (Parke and Lark), blending spirited story telling with, well, spirits! In 2022, Jack crossed the seas to the UK, earning his Master of Arts in Musical Theatre from the Royal Academy of Music. He is now thrilled to make his UK professional debut in A Very Naughty Christmas.
RACHEL MACDOUGALL
Hailing from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, where she grew up as a competitive dancer, Rachel is one of our first two British cast members joining the AVNC family this year and trained at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom. Her first West End Role was in The King and I at the Dominion Theatre in 2024.
CHRIS O’MARA
Scottish Actor and model Chris O’Mara has modelled for Gym Shark and Sinner and was part of Red Hot 100’s 2023 calendar. Hi joins the cast of A Very Naughty Christmas having spent two years in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, covering the Emcee and Cliff. Other theatre roles include Ode to Joy, Beauty and the Beast and Bonnie and Clyde.
JO KING
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Musical Direction credits include Cool Rider (London Palladium), Magical Merlin (Fortune Theatre) Jack and the Beanstalk (Stratford East), Merry Wives (Wandsworth Fringe) and Made In Dagenham (Laine Theatre Arts).
LISA MARTIN
DRUMS & PERCUSSION
An experienced musical theatre artist, Lisa has performed as part of the band for major UK shows including ABBA Voyage and SIX The Musical. Lisa graduated from the Academy of Contemporary Music in 2015 and since has also worked for artists such as Deep Tan, Nick Heyward and Clean Bandit. When not behind the drums, Lisa can be found fronting colourful indie pop project Aderyn.
LONDON CREATIVE TEAM
ALEX WOODWARD
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND CREATOR
DANIEL VENZ
CREATOR, GLOBAL DIRECTION AND CHOREOGRAPHY
ALISTER SMITH
CREATIVE CONTRIBUTOR
DOMINIC WOODHEAD
ASSOCIATE MUSICAL DIRECTOR
JO KING
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
JOSEPH EDWARD THOMAS
LIGHTING DESIGNER - FOR STUDIO JET
DAN HUNT
SOUND DESIGNER
CECI CALF
SET & COSTUME DESIGN ADAPTED FOR THE UK
ISAAC LUMIS
ASSOCIATE COSTUME DESIGNER
CAROLINE-ALICE STEVENS
COSTUME SUPERVISOR
PRODUCTION TEAM MUSICIANS
JO KING
PIANIST
LISA MARTIN
DRUMMER
RACHEL WELLS
DEPUTY PIANIST
BEN PAYNE
DEPUTY DRUMMER
PHOEBE FRANCIS
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER
FRANCESCA OSIMANI
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
ELLE HUTCHINSON
TECHNICAL ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
ANJA URBAN
SOUND NO. 1
JACK BOISSIEUX
PRODUCTION MANAGER FOR JBPM
MADELEINE YOUNG
ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION MANAGER FOR JBPM
IDA PONTOPPIDAN
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT FOR JBPM
JOHNNY WILSON
LEAD PRODUCTION LX
WILL THOMPSON
PRODUCTION SOUND ENGINEER
JAY WILLIAMSON
PRODUCTION CARPENTER
EMMA HORNE
CARPENTER
EUAN JACKSON
STAGE CREW
CENTRELINE FABRICATIONS
SET CONSTRUCTION
NEILL POLLARD SET LX
ALISA VASEGHI
COSTUME ALTERATION
MATT SEMPLE
SKIT WRITER
EMILY KRISTOPHER
SKIT WRITER
STEPHEN HIRST SKIT WRITER
CUP OF AMBITION
MARKETING
TORY LYNE-PIRKIS PR
AMELIA FENWICK
PRODUCTION LX
DAISY SIMMONDS
PRODUCTION LX
LEWIS BYFIELD PRODUCTION LX
ADAM WILEMAN
PRODUCTION LX
LIGHTING HIRES TSL
THANKS TO NATIONAL THEATRE FOR LOAN OF THE SWIRL FAN.
SAM FERSTERNBERG
PRODUCTION SOUND ENGINEER
RICHARD CARTER
PRODUCTION SOUND ENGINEER
SOUND HIRES
SHOW WORKS
GENERAL MANAGEMENT PIP BRIGNALL FOR GLASS HALF FULL PRODUCTIONS
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS GENERAL MANAGERS
VENUE AND TICKETING PARTNERS WITH THE KIND SUPPORT OF
