FEATURE: A year of celebrating local artists
Q&A
THE Clink Theatre celebrated 25 years this year in what was a hectic year. Newsport’s Howard Salkow spent some time with the theatre’s president Michael Kerr and discussed 2017 and looking ahead to 2018
Howard Salkow: Once again there were a number of stand-out performances this year. How does 2017 compare to previous years?
Michael Kerr: 2017 was a year of local performances; the year prior we concentrated on national artists to build the theatre and bring back locals who may not have been for a while. From the Old people are Revolting to Crazy Ladies we had locals on the stage performing comedy while still bringing the musical spectacular The Sound of Music.
HS: Are you seeing a drop or gain in audience numbers?
MK: This year has been the theatre’s most successful financial year so we would believe that would resonate well in ticket sales. Each year the theatre becomes busier and I believe with some of the acts already booked for next year we will see growth again.
HS: 2017 was special in celebrating the 25th anniversary -- do you think this enhanced the theatre and added to its credibility?
MK: Absolutely. The Clink Theatre is an icon of Port Douglas and as much as I would love to see its doors open every weekend, we have a small community as well as a transient tourist base, so it is very hard to get the word out about what’s happening at the theatre.
But yes, it has been there for 25 years and that in itself is a real achievement and a credit to the past and present committees. Hopefully we will be there for another 25 years to come.
HS: If the Karnak Playhouse became active again, could both parties benefit; and would you like to see it return?
MK: Absolutely. I can’t wait for the Karnak to come to life again. I have so many artists call to come up this way but due to the size of the Clink it wouldn’t be financially viable to do so with only 120 seats.
Having the option of possibly going to into partnership to work together and promote each other would only be beneficial in bringing great acts to the region as well as drawing crowds from Cairns.
HS: Is the shire's youth endorsing theatre as a whole and what it has to offer in terms of their creativity?
MK: Each year the group of young ones we have grows as does their experience. The youth of today will be our stars of tomorrow so the more they learn the better the talent will be when they are older. Producing shows like Cinderella KIDS was amazing and the Sound of Music was just as amazing: they ate it up and just wanted more. Something that we will be working at in 2018.
HS: What are your plans for 2018 and is there anything particular you want to focus on?
MK: I’m so looking forward to what 2018 has to offer so far. Already we have Isaac Loman booked to perform in January. A world class Hypnotist you will be guaranteed an amazing night.
Alteouise Devaughn then returns to the stage in February with her annual Black show which will showcase herself and many of her students in a musical extravaganza. Then we have the amazing Full Monty Musical which will run in April.
An all local cast of talent will bring to life the famous movie of the same name. It’s a brilliant show and very, very funny. In May though we will be bringing something really special to the Clink.
I had a script sitting there for a couple of years and finally found the right people to bring it life on the Clink stage. The very talented Andrea Mullens who many would have seen as Christine in the Cairns Choral Societies Phantom of the Opera will play the role of the Girl and the musical talents of Michael Lee Porter who recently directed Avenue Q will conduct a six-piece band bringing this Andrew Lloyd Webber production to life.
I believe this will be a musical highlight of the year for the theatre. We then have an act that has sold out the theatre three times. These guys have just finished touring the UK and USA and I have no doubt these hilarious guys will once again have full houses with their show the Naked Magicians.
Later in the year we shall work on another KIDS production, we have the Patsy Cline Story coming and if we can get the cast support, I would love to get Love in the Treetops to the stage. This is the last script that Jack Heywood wrote for DTAG. It would be an honour to bring this from the pages onto the stage.
HS: Are you looking to feature any "big names" in the New Year?
MK: It’s still too early yet to let all the beans out, but watch this space, you never know who will show up at the Clink.
Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!
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