A CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR - 2025. The Canberra Theatre.

Produced and directed by Michael Boyd – Choreographed by Matt Browning

Costumes designed by Cathie Costello – Stage management by Journey Malone

Lighting designed by Alex Fox – Sound designed by Tom Hawker

Canberra Theatre 22^nd, 23^rd December 2025.

Performance on 22^nd December reviewed by BILL STEPHENS

Prinnie Stevens and her boys.

Canberra was the final stop for The Christmas Spectacular   in a world-wind, six-city tour during December which also took in Melbourne, Newcastle, Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney.

Substantially the same production as presented in 2024, this year’s iteration was again helmed by vocalist, Prinnie Stevens, who delighted as the glamorous leading lady during   the many spectacular Parisian-cabaret-style production numbers. Stevens also charmed with her engaging storytelling while linking the various specialty acts.

Able to effortlessly produce sweet head voice or aggressive rock sounds at will, Stevens’ interpretations of favourite Christmas songs, “All I Want For Christmas is You”, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, and “Jingle Bell Rock”, proved a perfect salve for an audience harried from hectic Christmas preparations.    

When she is paying attention to her lyrics, Stevens has few peers as a vocalist in the Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey mould. However, her tendency to wander the stage waving to audience members during her renditions of “Silent Night” and “White Christmas” indicated a disinterest in the lyrics of these two Christmas favourites, spoiling what could have been magic moments.

Aleisha Manion performing on the Aerial Hoop.

Ballet-trained acrobat, Aleisha Manion, captivated with her virtuosity with hula hoops. However, it was the grace and power of her presentation on the aerial hoop, for which she was supported by two dancers dressed as angels, which remains an indelible memory.

For many, it is the superb team of dancers, six statuesque showgirls and two accomplished male dancers, who are the outstanding feature of The Christmas Spectacular.  

Most are former Moulin Rouge or Lido dancers, skilled in the art of displaying Cathie Costello’s spectacular rhinestone and feather creations, while executing Matt Brownings intricately choreographed production numbers in perfect unison.

The Christmas Spectacular dancers performing the Toy Soldiers ballet.

Stand-outs among these clever routines, were a toy-soldier ballet for which the dancers wore stylish red and gold toy soldier outfits, and another in which the troupe, elegant in silver and black, spectacularly manipulated huge white ostrich feather fans around Prinnie Stevens as she sang “Joy to the World”.

Prinnie Stevens and The Christmas Spectacular dancers performing "Joy to the World"

But the clear favourite with the younger audience members, who shrieked with delight as they entered, was the dazzling routine for which the eight dancers, costumed as athletic reindeer, towed a sleigh carrying a very merry Santa Claus.

The Christmas Spectacular dancers perform "Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer:

In 2024, The Christmas Spectacular was presented in the Canberra Theatre Centre Playhouse.  While it too attracted capacity houses, the Canberra Theatre has almost twice the seating capacity as the Playhouse.  

Michael Boyd’s ability to attract near-capacity audiences for the two performances of The Christmas Spectacular this year in the much larger Canberra Theatre, is as much a testament to his abilities as an entrepreneur with high production values, as it is his talents as a world-class magician.   

Michael Boyd and ballerina perform the Nutcracker illusion.

 

But, while it’s always a joy to revisit his beautifully staged ‘Nutcracker’ illusion featuring a ballerina emerging magically from a huge velvet-lined jewel-box; or delight in the wonder of a tot from the audience, as he recounts the story of how he became a magician, his finale illusion at this performance was a disappointment.

Last year it was a snowstorm that filled the theatre with snowflakes. But whether it misfired this year, or was just not possible in the larger theatre, whatever the reason, those who thrilled to it last year were left wondering by this year’s effort.

During this performance, Prinnie Stevens mentioned the hope that The Christmas Spectacular would become an annual event. It is a hope fervently echoed by his loyal audience who each year look forward to the next Michael Boyd extravaganza.

                                                               Photos provided.