SPAT’s Christmas panto Santa’s Secret, written by our very own Sage McAteer was a fitting close to our 50th anniversary celebrations. In the five sold-out performances, Santa and his helpers time travelled back to several of the previous pantos throughout our 50-year history.
Director Rod Lander said that this play was particularly inclusive with the performers ages ranging from primary school children to retirees. The adult performers included 5 new SPAT members and a French foreign exchange student attending Bulli High. They were supported by a wonderful crew who did all those super important behind the scenes jobs.
Musical director and pianist, Catherine Rostron, enjoyed adapting the pop songs in the panto for piano and loved the moments when she improvised to add mood and drama to the scenes. Rod, Catherine and stage manager Eric Alexander all said, this year’s group of children were truly inspiring because they learned both the songs and their lines quickly, sang with gusto and showed an amazing dedication and commitment during the rehearsals and the performances.
SPAT Singers
SPAT Singers under the direction of multi-talented, Lindy Sharp, will present the hugely popular annual supper show in late June, early July 2025. As always, the repertoire will consist of highbrow classical, as well as some lowbrow humorous songs with plenty of sing along numbers. If you can sing and want to take part in the fun, the singers recommence in the CWA hall Friday, January 24 at 7:30 pm. Soprano and male voices are particularly welcome.
Stop press
Stanwell Park writer Christine Christine Sykes has submitted her play, Tap Cats of the Sunshine Coast, to the SPAT committee, which was unanimous in their support for staging the premier production in late April, early May 2025. The play is a rollicking adaptation of her novel of the same name, published in 2022. Christine was inspired by her Auntie Peg to take up dancing when she retired, and the novel was based her experience.
The cast consists of six women ranging in age from 40 to 70 and one woman aged 19 and anywhere from two to 14 additional tap dancers. There are also roles for up to 5 men. For women in this age group who can tap or want to learn some basic seps, this play promises to be fun filled and challenging.
Auditions will be held at the end of January and rehearsals will start in early February.