The Malthouse Theatre’s F Christmas stridently shatters cosy Christmas conformity and finds the sweet spot between a camp and crazed Christmas fantasy and a nightmarishly funny extravaganza.

Or as co-creator and director Susie Dee puts it, “We want to create a variety show that simultaneously celebrates and agitates.”

Together with Fat Fruit Productions (Sarah Ward and Bec Matthews) and many of the big names from their previous collaborations (F Fabulous, the child-friendly Fart Fabulous), Dee and the team have created a spectacular that features a tap-dancing turkey, a seedy Santa and a parody of cheesy carol hosts.

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The F Christmas line-up also includes comedic actor and improv expert John Marc Desengano; singer and hula hoop performer Jess Love; choreographer and tap performer Gabi Parton; aerialist and contortionist Seth Sladen; Wai-Zea Man and his amazing bungee skills; and proud Kamilaroi man, and award-winning circus artist, Dale Woodbridge Brown.

“There’s standup comedy, there’s burlesque, there’s a live band, parody, humour, nudity – even in the title we’re swearing,” Dee says.

“There’s a scene about rage – it’s quite an angry act on trampolines. There’s one act called ‘Sex for Christmas’, there’s one called ‘Drunk for Christmas’, there’s one act called ‘Fuck Christmas’. There are lots of flavours and colours. It’s a variety show for the lighthearted.”

For Dee it’s all about unpacking what Christmas actually means. “There’s one scene where we [ask], ‘Where does Christmas come from?’ And then we talk about the birth of Jesus, but we’ve got a whole thing that’s called ‘The Birth of Capitalism’ – It [asks] what exactly are we celebrating here?”

Christmas can also be a difficult time for many people. Dee and the team have made a show for everyone, no matter their views on the holiday.

“It’s a tricky one. There’s trauma – some people don’t enjoy a traditional Christmas. So, it’s about looking at alternative ways to celebrate,” Dee says. “There’s a lot of joy and pleasure and laughter in there, and a little touch of horror and darkness.”

The show also walks the walk. “We really wanted to create a show where we weren’t going to spend a lot of money on new props,” Dee says. “We started recycling in November last year. We even started collecting dead Christmas trees – we got 70 delivered to the Malthouse when people were going to just throw them out.”

The show is a wild ride, but Dee wants audiences to know they’ll be in safe hands. “A lot of thought [has] gone into how the audience feels and the journey we take them on throughout the show. Things are politically charged at the moment and we’re trying to find ways to look at that, not by smashing people over the heads, but through music, through silence.

“If we can do a show that is going to be celebratory and entertaining and fun, but also a little thought provoking – something that makes us think a little bit about the bigger picture and the world – we feel like we’ve done our job.”

Broadsheet is a proud media partner of Malthouse Theatre. F Christmas will run at the Malthouse’s Merlyn Theatre from November 27 to December 15. See more information and purchase tickets.