Entertainment
28 November, 2025
Home run for Mat
CAIRNS-born musical theatre performer Mat Verevis will return home to perform where his passion for the stage first began, when ‘Christmas Actually: The Music of Love Actually Live Onstage’ comes to the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) on Saturday 29 November.
A festive favourite created by The Little Red Company, Christmas Actually is a live celebration of the beloved holiday film ‘Love Actually’, featuring the movie’s best-loved songs performed by a host of leading Australian vocalists and musicians.
“It’s all the music from the movie that is so well loved, brought to life on stage with some of Australia’s best performers,” Mr Verevis said.
“It’s packed with all the songs and little nods to the moments everyone loves in the film,” he said.
Mr Verevis, who grew up in Cairns and attended Redlynch primary and Cairns state high schools, said returning home to perform was always special.
“I don’t get home as much as I wish I could being down in Sydney, so I am always full of emotions coming back,” he said.
A Helpmann Award winner for his performance in ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’, and most recently seen in ‘Tina: The Tina Turner Musical’ and ‘Sweeney Todd and The Lovers’, Mr Verevis has built an impressive career spanning theatre, cabaret and touring productions across Australia.
“Cairns theatre goers are such a beautiful community and it’s where it all began for me. I love getting back up there and doing my thing, it’s always a joy,” he said.
Mr Verevis said Christmas Actually was the perfect show to close out the year.
“Audiences will love it. It’s hilarious. It’s moving. It’s kind of cathartic in a way. I’m not just saying this because I am in it, but it is a great show to kind of see out the year with,” he said.
“It’s full of festive spirit and the show’s central message is love and bringing people together.”
Created by Adam Brunes and Naomi Price, Christmas Actually stars cabaret icon Libby O’Donovan alongside a cast of accomplished performers, including Mr Verevis, with arrangements of classics from Mariah Carey, Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Eva Cassidy, Kelly Clarkson, The Beach Boys and The Beatles.
Christmas Actually will be performed at the CPAC Theatre on Saturday 29 November, with doors opening at 6.30pm and the show commencing at 7.30pm. Tickets are available online at www.bit.ly/3XhxiOb
