Every so often, beneath the soft whirr of the sea and the swaying trees, you may hear the hum of music, an excited murmur, or an eruption of applause – a musical rhythm that pulses through the heart of Stanwell Park.
For fifty years, the Stanwell Park Arts Theatre, more commonly known as SPAT, has provided this rhythm.
In 1974, a small but passionate group of locals embarked on a journey to bring the delight of live performance to the northern suburbs of the Illawarra. The inaugural production, a pantomime called ‘Babe in the Woods’, was written by Joy Wierdersatz, the local schoolteacher, and this set the stage for what would become a rich and long-lasting tradition of theatrical celebration.
Perched on a grassy hillside, and tucked away beneath the trees, the CWA Hall has been a part of Stanwell Park since 1946, acting as the communal home of creativity, movement, and celebration. But today, as I walk through the doors, it is quiet. My footsteps echo against the polished floorboards, bounce against the white walls, and dissipate on the empty stage.
I stand on the balcony, leaning against the wooden railing, gazing down the hillside. The ocean murmurs through the park, and dances towards me across the sun-stained grass. The breeze is warm on my face as the sun flutters between the clouds. In the quietude of this place, I am transported back to a time of budding reveries. A time that sparked stunned curiosity and a new desire for creative expression.
It’s 2008. The sun glimmers through the gumtrees. The air is balmy and sweet, twirling with the fragrance of spring flowers and freshly mowed grass. A seven-year-old boy plays in his garden, chasing after bugs and collecting leaves with curious looking squiggles and funny shapes. His backyard stretches against the park reserve, a sphere of green grass that rests beside the CWA Hall.
The park is quiet, waiting in anticipation. When suddenly, a cacophony of sound echoes against the trees.
The boy looks up from his newfound treasure. The bizarre uproar of expressive voices, and lively laughter melt together beneath a rehearsal of theatrical amusement. Now, he’s balancing on his tippy toes gazing inquisitively over the back fence. He can’t look away. He’s fascinated and amused by this curious group of people as they dance and sing in the park reserve.
“I remember thinking, ‘I can’t wait to turn eight,’ because that was the age you could start,” Sage McAteer said as he reflects on the day it all began.
“When I was really young, I would see them rehearsing on the [park] reserve. I would pop my head into their rehearsals and think ‘what is this? I want to know more.’”
“Then, I remember seeing one of their shows, and I was so impressed.”
Sage made his long-awaited debut playing an Elf in the 2010 production of ‘Rudolph Runaway Reindeer,’ written by Cameron Sharp, and directed by Rebecca Barrow, and Cameron Campbell. He was nine years old.
Sage continued to do shows every year for seven years, forming a close relationship with the SPAT community, and developing a profound love for the art of musical theatre. Then, in 2017, he wrote and directed his first SPAT pantomime, ‘Miss Lily’s Holiday House and the Stealing of Christmas,’ produced by Christine Sykes.
“SPAT exposed me to what it was to do shows and made me realise that I really enjoy musical theatre,” said Sage.
“It gave me the opportunity to discover a passion for performance.”
Now, Sage is the writer of this year’s fiftieth pantomime, ‘Santa’s Secret,’ a devotion to the innovative and creative history of SPAT performances.
“I did a bit of research through the archives to find past scripts. This show will feature around five past pantomimes, all written by locals,” he said.
‘Santa’s Secret,’ which will be presented this December, is a showcase of five decades of original works. The communal passion and loyalty towards SPAT can be seen through its varied and impressive repertoire.
SPAT president, Sonia Westwood, reflects on SPAT’s notable history in The Illawarra Flame,
“Our pantomimes are more than just entertainment; they are a celebration of joy, community, and the sheer delight of theatrical magic,” Sonia said.
The rich tradition of SPAT performances is an ode to the dedication and collaborative effort of the talented performers on stage, and the loyal members who spend countless hours behind the scenes. However, none of that would have been possible without the unwavering support of the audience, and the greater community.
“The sense of camaraderie and shared purpose has been a driving force behind our enduring success,” Sonia said.
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this extraordinary journey.”
The tradition of Christmas pantomimes, like ‘Santa’s Secret’, has become a rite of passage for local children, often showcasing music, and interactive fun. This sense of enjoyment has grown into an essential part of inspiring and celebrating the uniqueness, creativity and innovation of the local community.
“It’s really important for the kids, like me, who feel like musical theatre really resonated with them,” said Sage.
“That’s what I think of with a show – I went to the first rehearsal [for this year’s pantomime], and I looked around, and thought ‘I wonder which one of you is going to love this and really stick with it.’”
“And now that I’ve written this year’s script, it means some really nice things to me to know that that might be happening. The intimacy and dedication of the SPAT community is the driving force behind each performance. It’s the experience of friendship, shared understanding, and open hospitality that allows SPAT to remain a passionate collective, and this can be thanked to the devoted volunteers.
“I think the fact that we are all volunteers there, it changes the dynamic. Everyone wants to be there,” Sage explained.
“SPAT is so special because, in a way, it’s small. The stage is small, and the community is small. Everyone’s comfortable, and there’s no judgement between each other.”
In 1974, it all started with an original pantomime. Now, 2024 is ending with one. It is a full circle moment for the local theatre company, and serves as a reminder of the power of dedication, passion, and community.
“It deserves a celebration,” Sage said wholeheartedly.
“Writing this year’s pantomime is a pinnacle moment for me. I’m really happy with it, and I’ll remember this year for it.”
As I stand on the balcony, I think of the small but passionate group who began the legacy of SPAT, and I wonder if they could have imagined all the ways it has been maintained, treasured, and nurtured since. I wonder if they could have imagined the theatrical journey of that curious seven-year-old boy who felt drawn to the expressive, colourful, and enigmatic nature of SPAT. And I wonder how they would’ve felt knowing the legacy that they began continues to be celebrated fifty years on. What a milestone for a small local theatre company.
So, as we look to the future, let’s hope that this rich tradition of theatrical celebration continues to pulse through the heart of Stanwell Park for another 50 years.