Agro's Christmas Story

Agro's Christmas Story is a 1988 Australian television musical special made in Brisbane. It starred Jamie Dunn as Agro and Jill Ray. It was written and produced by Dunn and Brett Davidson, who ran a theatre school in Brisbane. Dunn and Davidson also wrote the songs.[1] The show was screened nationally and repeated several times over subsequent years.[2]

Premise

In a Swiss village, a villainous squire raises taxes. Hans and Gretchen fall in love.

Cast

  • Agro as himself
  • Jill Ray as Gretchen

Select songs

  • "Danger is My Middle Name"

Reception

The Age said "this is not an awfully imaginative production".[3]

A Very Agro Christmas

It was followed by A Very Agro Christmas in 1989. This was also written and produced by Dunn and Davidson.

The Sydney Morning Herald called it "a flat, tedious and uninspiring Christmas pantomine."[4] Nonetheless, the special was repeated in following years.[5]

Premise

Stella the elf takes Agro to the North Pole where Santa is losing weight. He meets Ann Claus and they fight Santa's evil brother, Barnaby, to save Christmas.

Cast

  • Agro as himself
  • Ann-Maree Biggar as Ann Claus
  • Brett Davidson as Barnaby
  • Ian Calder as Santa
  • Zoe Georgakis as Stella

References

  1. ^ "TV Guide". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 December 1988. p. 19.
  2. ^ "Tonight's Pick". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 709. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 24 December 1991. p. 10. Retrieved 5 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "TV highlights". The Age Green Guide. 15 December 1988. p. 2.
  4. ^ "A Very Agro Christmas". The Sydney Morning Herald TV Guide. 18 December 1989. p. 17s.
  5. ^ "The Little Hum-Drummer Boy". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 708. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 23 December 1991. p. 23. Retrieved 5 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.