Festive production A Christmas Carol revels in a full house

The yuletide tale A Christmas Carol will be Australia’s largest production to be played to a full house since the pandemic began.

Arnijka Larcombe-Weate, Eugene Gilfedder and Nelle Lee on Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre stage for their production of A Christmas Carol. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Brisbane’s third annual production of the yuletide tale A Christmas Carol will be a little bit more magical this year as it becomes the country’s largest production to be played to a full house since the pandemic began.

The classic Charles Dickens story will reopen the city’s Lyric Theatre for the first time since March, following the untimely end of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s season.

Originally announced at 50 per cent capacity, the softening of the state’s coronavirus restrictions allowed the remaining A Christmas Carol tickets to go on sale last week.

Artistic director of theatre company Shake & Stir, Ross Balbuziente, said the group was excited to be able to bring more people together after a tough year and make the meaning of the tale ring true. “The whole sentiment of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is so relevant and lovely any year but this year more so, with the sense of coming together and sharing the true spirit of this season, the true spirit of humanity,” Mr Balbuziente said.

“After what has been such a socially distanced year, we just think it’s the perfect offering for families and for audiences.”

It is a major step forward for the country’s hard-hit arts sector, which has only just started to find its feet again. Queensland Performing Arts Centre chief executive John Kotzas said show’s opening night on December 16 would mark an optimistic turn for the industry.

“There is certainly a sense of optimism and celebration as we open our largest theatre again for the first time since COVID closures,” Mr Kotzas said.

“After such a tumultuous year, we hope our audiences feel a sense of connection and celebration through this age-old tale.

“It signals to our audiences, artists, staff and the wider community that we are truly open for business again, including large scale productions, and at 100 per cent audience capacity. It’s heartwarming to see our centre come alive again.”

QPAC is also set to host the country’s first musical at 100 per cent capacity when Shrek The Musical opens in March

Mr Balbuziente said while members of Shake & Stir’s full-time team had benefited from JobKeeper, many of the cast and stage hands will be employed for the first time in months.

Stage lights are also turned on in other parts of the country.

Pippin, starring Kerri-Anne Kennerley, was the first major production to grace Australian stages since March, opening at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre to reduced crowds. And the musical adaptation of Frozen opened last Tuesday to an 85 per cent capacity at Sydney’s The Capitol Theatre. But theatregoers there will have to adapt to the “new normal”, with patrons required to wear masks the whole time. COVID-monitors will also facilitate staggered entries and bar anybody showing flu-like symptoms from entering.

Several smaller shows are also set to play to full houses in Brisbane ahead of A Christmas Carol, including Queensland Ballet’s 60 Dancers: 60 Stories and Circa’s Carnival of the Animals.