The question of what to do in Melbourne this Christmas has an easy answer for me. There are certain moments in the year you look forward to, those specific feelings that signal the festive season has truly begun. For me—and I’m staking my claim right now—that feeling is stepping inside the Comedy Theatre and immersing myself in the glorious, heart-swelling world of A Christmas Carol.
I saw this production last year, and I can tell you: the magic is just as potent the second time around. In fact, it might be even better. When you know the journey, you can appreciate the nuance, the stunning staging, and Lachy Hulme’s incredible transformation as Ebenezer Scrooge all the more deeply. I truly hope the producers commit to returning to Melbourne every summer; this deserves to be my, and everyone’s, yearly festive kick-off. May it become a tradition!
But what truly sets this Melbourne staging apart is its intimacy and its incredible lead. From the moment we got seated, the festive feeling starts: the cast roams the aisles, handing out small gifts of Christmas cheer—I was offered a delicious mince pie and watched them toss apples and mandarins to the delight of the audience! This pre-show engagement immediately sets a warm, personal tone.
Lachy Hulme, known for his formidable screen presence, embodies Scrooge with a physical and emotional commitment that is mesmerizing. He doesn’t just play a miser; he portrays a deeply wounded man whose bitterness is almost a second skin. The ensemble cast, dressed in timeless Dickensian attire, frequently interacts with the audience, creating a sense of Victorian London spilling out into the stalls. I love that it feels less like a performance for us and more like an experience we are part of. The staging itself is deceptively simple, relying on dramatic lighting shifts, minimal but effective props, and the power of sound to transport you instantly from the cold, lonely counting house to the warmth of Fezziwig’s party. It’s masterfully done. And speaking of being part of it, the moment towards the end when the cast prepares the Cratchit’s Christmas feast is brilliant: huge joints of meat and other dishes—including sausages and poultry—are literally “rolled” through the audience, row by row, as we help pass them down to the stage. It’s a wonderful, memorable touch of shared community.
Past, Present, and Future: More Than Just Ghosts
What makes Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, so enduring? It’s the ingenious structure built around the three spectral visitors—the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
The spectacle of the Ghosts themselves is a theatrical triumph. The Ghost of Christmas Past appears ethereal and almost sorrowful, draped in flowing white, reflecting the fragility of memory. The Ghost of Christmas Present, by contrast, is a burst of vibrant, celebratory energy, commanding the stage with booming laughter and an abundance of festive colour—truly embodying life and current possibility. But it is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come that steals the show’s dark heart. The presence of this final, silent figure, often towering and shrouded in shadow, is genuinely terrifying. The atmosphere shifts instantly, the light draining from the stage, making that chilling confrontation with his own grave all the more immediate and visceral. This production understands that while the story is old, the emotional stakes must feel new and urgent.
The Ghost of Christmas Past forces Scrooge to confront his origin story: the moments he was loved, his initial hopes, and the crucial point where he chose money over love (his fiancée, Belle). This is about memory and acknowledgment.
The Ghost of Christmas Present is the here and now. This spirit shows Scrooge the joy, the struggle (especially of the Cratchits), and the human connection he actively rejects. It’s about accountability and seeing the immediate consequences of his current miserly existence.
Finally, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is the chilling vision of a life un-lived and a death un-mourned. It’s the cold, hard legacy he’s building for himself. It’s this terrifying glimpse into the future that sparks his final, joyful, tear-inducing redemption.
This version in Melbourne captures that redemptive arc perfectly. I was teary again, watching Scrooge finally break down, and then just instantly full of pure joy as he embraces the spirit of Christmas morning. The emotional resonance of the story—that it’s never too late to change your Future—is why this is the perfect summer theatre experience.
Toasting the Future (Literally!)
My friend, the talented artist Sebnem Gencer, joined me for the launch, and before the show, we absolutely had to indulge in the themed cocktails: Past, Present, and Future. We chose the Future, raising a glass and toasting to our own possibilities and the hopeful legacy we want to create. It was a beautiful, meta-moment that made the themes of the play feel instantly real and relevant.
The team behind this production understands that the experience starts the moment you walk into the Comedy Theatre (240 Exhibition Street—make sure you allow plenty of time for arrival!). The atmosphere is set with the wonderful pre-show ensemble and lighting effects.
Production Notes & Venue Info
- Venue: The Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street (Corner of Exhibition & Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne CBD).
- Running Time: Approximately 2 hours, including a 20-minute interval.
- Please Note: A Christmas Carol is suitable for ages 8+. Each performance contains theatrical smoke, haze and lighting effects, and loud noises.
The Snowfall: A Moment of Collective Glee
Nothing, however, prepared us for the post-show moment outside the theatre. Picture this: it’s Melbourne in summer, warm and buzzing from the theatre crowd, and suddenly, it starts snowing!
It was totally enchanting. The production team organized a perfect, silent, magical snowfall over Exhibition Street. It instantly turned our corner of the Melbourne CBD into a magical place. Everyone—adults, children, families, and friends—became a collective, childlike community, gazing up with glee, reaching out and playing with the flakes. Sebnem and I looked at each other, utterly delighted. What a great way to add to the experience and truly capture that spirit of transformation and wonder.
It’s clear that the production’s generosity extends far beyond the stage. I was so impressed to hear about their ongoing commitment to charity fundraising, raising money and awareness for a good cause like FareShare at this time of the year. This is what the story is truly about: putting the lesson of the three ghosts into real-world action.
This production of A Christmas Carol doesn’t just entertain; it inspires, it connects, and it literally brings the magic of Christmas to a summer street corner. It provides the essential, hopeful warmth we all crave during the holidays, regardless of the season outside.
