The annual SPAT Singers supper show, Riversong was a great success and both the audience and those involved in the show had loads of fun.

We are indeed fortunate to live in a community with so much musical talent, and this was certainly on display.  Many of our members not only sing but are also highly skilled musicians. Local pianist Catherine Rostrum accompanied us in most of the musical numbers and other members alternated between singing and playing flute, recorder, violin, clarinet, bass and cello. Lindy Sharp, our wonderful musical director, also sang, played the keyboard, and conducted. Audience members said the intimacy of the CWA hall and the musical talent made them feel as if they had been transplanted to another era, when entertainment in people’s homes or public halls was centred on live musicians and the guests sang, danced and had a wonderful time.

The Singers’ members should also take a bow for providing the delicious three-course meal on the two Saturday nights. This included soup, a choice of three mains and dessert, as well as the afternoon tea after the matinee. SPAT members served the meals and did all the clean-up.  All in all, a sterling effort!

Peter and the Wolf

The is an exciting collaborative venture showcasing our own musicians and those involved with other musical groups, including the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. 

Mikaela Wu, who conducts with the Con and other orchestras, will conduct Peter and the Wolf and SPAT’s Matt Dickson will be the director. 

As this piece is designed for children, there will be two matinee performances on Saturday, August 30 and September 6, as well as two evening performances on the same dates. The evening performances will also be accompanied by a staged radio play, with live sound effects, entitled Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Haunted Chateaux.  If you are interested in being part of the radio play, look out for more information on the SPAT website.

Playmates (Improvised theatre)

This is an annual event, run by Luke Berman, in which several theatres compete for the title of best improvisational theatre group. This year SPAT will host the event on October 25. SPAT is a regular contender in this event, and we will form a team sometime in late July, early August. If this interests you, check the SPAT website.

Christmas Panto

Christine Higgins and Rachel Kiddier, who both acted and tap danced in SPAT’s latest theatre production The Tap Cats of the Sunshine Coast, have proposed their idea for the Panto this year. 

It is based on the 12 Days of Christmas, sped up to 12 Hours to Christmas, with 12 scenes and lots of parts for children. They will present a draft of the script at the next committee meeting in July.  Both are relative newcomers to SPAT and it is wonderful to see these talented actors and dancers enthusiastically now trying their hand at script writing. 

The ongoing success of any theatre group depends on the passion and enthusiasm of new members and certainly at this point and time SPAT is alive and well!