The Castanet Club
| Company type | Cabaret ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Newcastle , Australia |
| Products | Live performances, music albums |
The Castanet Club was a cabaret ensemble originating from Newcastle, Australia, recognized for fostering several prominent figures in the media industry.
History
Formed in 1982, The Castanet Club—also referred to as The Castanets—began their performances at Newcastle’s Clarendon Hotel. Their popularity surged rapidly, leading them to take over a neighboring former disco space, which they converted into a permanent venue adorned with a unique "acid-trip circus" aesthetic designed by local artist Michael Bell. This space, named after the group itself, served as a hub for their shows and featured guest artists such as Tiny Tim in 1983. The collective also launched mobile "Swinging Safari World Tours," traveling around Newcastle on hired buses while delivering live performances.
Achieving acclaim beyond their local scene, they embarked on extensive tours and secured a sold-out run at the 1984 Adelaide Festival, where they earned the "Best of the Fringe" title out of 300 participants. By approximately 1985, the ensemble had relocated to Sydney permanently, appearing at venues like "The Gap" within the Sydney Trade Union Club and the Harold Park Hotel. Embracing a more theatrical approach, they held seasons at the Belvoir Street Theatre and revived their bus-based Safari tours. This period is captured in Neil Armfield’s 1990 documentary film, The Castanet Club, which includes live concert segments.
On the international stage, The Castanet Club performed in London and took part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, receiving praise for their dynamic blend of music, satire, and theatrical elements.
The group ceased performing together in 1991.
In 2021, Newcastle Museum curated a retrospective titled The Castanet Club: An Exhibition You Can Dance To!, featuring archival footage, photographs, costumes, and memorabilia such as their iconic venue signage. Complementing this exhibition, filmmakers Glenn Dormand (also known as Chit Chat von Loopin Stab) and Tony Whittaker produced Stories of Our Town: The Castanet Club Story.
Members
Performers within The Castanet Club adopted stage personas and often showcased specific musical talents:
- Stephen Abbott portrayed Johnny Goodman on guitar
- Penny Biggins performed as Doris Crawley on accordion
- Kathy Bluff took on roles as Kid Kalamai/Kid Paganini playing violin
- Glenn Butcher appeared as lounge lizard Lance Norton
- Rodney Cambridge handled drums
- Russell Cheek played Tron Wexler and roadie Doug "Gargoyle" Ormerod
- Warren Coleman acted as Bowling Man and Pastor Noel Anderson
- Peter Mahony featured as Urman Erstwhile on bass guitar
- Maynard assumed the character Maynard F# Crabbes on trombone
- Angela Moore portrayed Betty B-Plate and Shirley Purvis
- Mikey Robins took on Elvis Presle
- John Hay was on keyboards
- Jacqueline Amidy performed as diva vocalist Nastassja Bassi
Several members progressed to notable careers in media: Maynard and Mikey Robins became breakfast radio hosts at triple j, Steve Abbott developed his Johnny Goodman persona into the Sandman character gaining national exposure across radio and television along with merchandising opportunities, Glenn Butcher joined the sketch comedy series Full Frontal, while Angela Moore became a presenter on Play School.
Both Warren Coleman and Russell Cheek won the television quiz show Sale of the Century. Coleman subsequently co-wrote the Academy Award-winning animated feature Happy Feet.
Discography
| Album Title | Album Information | Highest Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| The Castanet Club |
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Publications
- "The Castanet Club: History, provenance and influence". Australasian Drama Studies, Issue 66, April 2015: pp. 225–252. ISSN: 0810–4123.
- The Castanet Club: a Newcastle Story, Castanet Club Press, ISBN 9780646836904
External links
- The Castanet Club Archive hosted on Planet Maynard
- Articles with short description
- Australian cabaret performers
- Australian comedy musical groups
- Cabaret
- The Castanet Club
- 1982 establishments in Australia
- 1991 disestablishments in Australia
- Musical comedy
- Musical groups established in 1982
- Musical groups disestablished in 1991
- Musical groups from New South Wales
- Newcastle, New South Wales