For almost 30 years Australians have celebrated Christmas with the closest thing we have to our own carol: How to Make Gravy by Paul Kelly, which swaps snow for 38°C heat, eschews little drummer boys for Junior Murvin and instead of the sound of sleigh bells speaks of “ringing the last bell” in jail. Now, this Chrissy classic is being made into a movie, premiering on December 1 – 20 days before the song is set. And its cast, characters and trailer have just been released.
The tune has been adapted for the screen by singer-songwriter Meg Washington and writer and director Nick Waterman; Washington has also written original songs for the film’s soundtrack.
In the role of the song’s narrator, Joe, is Daniel Henshall (Snowtown, Mystery Road: Origin) while his brother Dan, who he’s speaking to on the phone from prison, will be played by Brenton Thwaites (Pirates of the Caribbean, Gods of Egypt). Kate Mulvany (The Twelve, Lambs of God) will be flying in from the coast to play sister Stella, along with Roger, played by Damon Herriman (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Mr Inbetween). Joe’s wife Rita – “She’s the one to save me” – will be played by Agathe Rousselle (Titane), and Jonah Wren Phillips, Rose Statham and Izzy Westlake will play Joe’s children (“Please don’t let ’em cry”).
Eloise Rothfield (Boy Swallows Universe) has been cast as Dan’s daughter Mary, while brothers Gary (Eugene Gilfedder; Babyteeth, Fat Cow Motel)) and Murray (Kym Gyngell; The Artful Dodger, Love Me) will be driving down from Queensland.
Much like the dollop of tomato sauce in the song, a couple of new characters have been mixed into the story for “sweetness and that extra tang”. Hugo Weaving (Lord of the Rings, The Matrix) will play Joe’s jail mate Noel and Kieran Darcy-Smith (Wish You Were Here, Mr Inbetween) will act as Red, Joe’s jail nemesis.
You might want to push the tables back as well, because a clutch of great musicians will also appear in the film, including rapper Briggs, singer-songwriter Brendan Maclean; rapper Dallas Woods; ex-lead vocalist of The Grates Patience Hodgson; and Zaachariaha Fielding of Electric Fields.
Praise the baby Jesus, we’re going to have a Merry Christmas.
How to Make Gravy will be released on Binge on December 1.