The Source: ‘F**k Christmas’ play coming to Melbourne theatre

The Malthouse Theatre is programming a controversial play called “F*** Christmas” that promises to be a “wild, mutinous, punk celebration”.

Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre is staging a play called ‘F*** Christmas’.

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers.

Ho, Ho … No!

The grinches at Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre are set to top the naughty list by programming a controversial holiday season play called F--- Christmas.

The play, written by controversial cabaret duo Sarah Ward and Bec Matthews, will be marketed by the theatre with the F-bomb spelled out in its full and unapologetic glory.

Malthouse’s artistic director, Matthew Lutton, described the play as a “wild, mutinous, punk celebration” that challenges the status quo.

“From the suffocating binaries of boys and girls, naughty and nice, to the children forced to sit on an old man’s knee, to the over consumption, joy, excess, greed, sharing, bringing people together, and tearing them apart — we’re going to unwrap secular traditions and create an alternative celebration and tradition,” he said at a program preview earlier this week.

Asked how the Malthouse will market the contentious piece, Lutton said: “It’s really important to the artist that it has the full provocation of its title. It is not meant to be offensive but celebratory and fun.”

Other works to be staged at the Malthouse next year include The Hate Race, starring Zahra Newman; Yentl, an adaptation of a famous story that became a Broadway play and movie starring Barbra Streisand, and Multiple Bad Things, about three workers who build a utopia, then grapple about the rules of their paradise.

In a 2024 program highlight, Bojana Novakovic, star of the Foxtel/Binge hit Love Me, will helm Macbeth (An Undoing), which reimagines Shakespeare’s Macbeth from his wife’s perspective.

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Sarah Snook locks in post-Succession gig

Melbourne’s mission to claim Sarah Snook as one of its own is complete, with revelations she will deep dive into her latest role in the creative capital of Australia.

Succession superstar Snook will rehearse the epic play, The Picture Of Dorian Gray, a one-woman show in which she will play 26 roles, in Melbourne.

Sarah Snook at the Emmy Awards. Picture: Getty

The three-time Emmy nominated actor is based in Melbourne with husband, actor and writer Dave Lawson. They welcomed their first child in May.

Snook will helm Dorian Gray, adapted and directed by Kip Williams, the artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company, for its run on London’s West End in early 2024.

The show debuted last year to critical acclaim, with Eryn Jean Norvill playing Dorian, and 25 other roles.

Michael Cassel, the show’s Australian producer, said Snook has started preparations for the multifaceted role.

“We will rehearse the show here in Melbourne, arrive in London in January and move into the theatre to open later that month,” Cassel said.

On stage, Snook will be assisted by a team of camera operators, sound and lighting unit, and costume and wig crew — all visible to the audience — help her flip, switch and swap roles with quick precision.

The mash-up of live theatre and video technology elevates the magic.

“It’s such an unusual, eccentric piece of theatre. It’s pretty mental,” Snook told Variety Magazine recently. “I really wanted to have the opportunity to play in it.”

Snook at Spice Mix Indian Restaurant in Brunswick East. Picture: Facebook

Dan gets roasted for Matildas tweet — again

Premier Dan Andrews was fast to tell the Matildas that they “made dreams possible” after they played England in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.

Was he too fast, given he cancelled the dreams of Commonwealth Games athletes just last month?

The Twitter pile-on was instant, much like when Andrews talked up attendance at an empty Melbourne stadium — to watch the game on a screen being played 800km to the north, in a city which is definitely not the sporting capital of the world – after the Matildas won their quarter-final game last weekend.

Of dreams, someone wrote: “You’re a bit behind the times champ. Margaret Court did that 50 years ago.”

You're a bit behind the times champ. Margaret Court did that 50 years ago.

— Ian from the deep North (@libertyloveraus) August 16, 2023

Imagine all the athletes inspired by Commonwealth Games oh hang on…
Well done Mathilda’s you were bloody awesome

— Scott M (@ScottyPieMan) August 16, 2023

Of the fact that no World Cup finals would be played in Melbourne, someone said: “The Key takeaway from this World Cup is that Sydney shat on you Dan”.

Imagine if those young girls had events, oh like the Commonwealth Games, to play their sport in front of a home crowd and to showcase their great talents to inspire future generations. Much like Cathy Freeman did for these amazing @TheMatildas

— Greg Dawkins (@GregDawkins9) August 16, 2023

it's sad that all those girls will end up paying high taxes for the rest of their lives because you did not know about economics.

— Condor (@lahs1966) August 16, 2023