Backstage at Mamma Mia!

THE curtains have opened and closed for the final time after a successful run of ‘Mamma Mia!’ at the Clink Theatre, Port Douglas, with some matinee shows due to big demand.

By Gary ‘Gazza’ McIlroy

Cast members relax during the interval.

I was lucky enough to get along to the premiere night, which proceeded without a single hitch and absolutely no signs of any nerves from the local, talented cast.

For a bit of history, amateur thespians have entertained people in the Douglas Shire at least since the 1970s. Initially using various names such as the Port Douglas Players and Troubadours, they performed wherever a venue could be found, including hotel ballrooms, foyers and restaurants.

In 1982, the Douglas Theatre Arts Group was formed and, although this was the beginning of a much more organised operation, the group were still without a permanent home. Ten years later, they finally achieved this with the Clink Theatre, where they have since remained. This came about partly due to lucky timing but also as a result of some very imaginative thinking.

In 1991, the old Mossman courthouse, a sturdy wooden structure, was due to be replaced and the Douglas Shire Council needed someone to take it off their hands. A suggestion was made to move it somewhere else and turn it into a theatre, so the building was transported down the Cook Highway to where it now stands in Mowbray St, Port Douglas.

Basically, the old police lock-up was transformed into the majestic Clink Theatre, now seating up to 120 people for a much more pleasurable stay.

During the interval of last week’s Mamma Mia! performance, I was invited by the Douglas Theatre Arts Group president Michael Kerr, to go backstage and get a feel for what happens behind the scenes.

The rear of the main auditorium can only be described as a rabbit warren with what seemed like rooms and corridors in all directions. Dr Who’s Tardis also sprung to mind, the area being much larger than it appears from the outside.

I found some of the cast having a quick bite to eat at half-time, plus others simply discussing their performance thus far. I also came across some of the techs who do such an amazing job with the sound and lighting.

After my backstage tour, I eventually found my way back to the popular volunteer run bar, where an excited audience prepared for the second half of this fantastic local production. Well done to all of the Clink Theatre team.

I’m off to sing an ABBA song or two, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.

Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au