THERE was no missing the showbiz flavour when The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, announced its subscription season for 2012.

With drama, comedy, musical theatre, murder mystery, music and indigenous stories, we are invited to get ourselves “In the Mood”.

Program director at the theatre, Stephen Pike, was responsible for the pizzazz that saw Broadway director Stephen Lloyd Helper in Queanbeyan to announce his production of “Syncopation”, a fusion of comedy, drama, romance and ballroom.

Pike has cunningly filched some of the best talent from over the border, with Canberra director Jordan Best staging Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap”, a hit this year for Belconnen’s Tempo Theatre. Best will also restage Molière’s “The Imaginary Invalid”, with comedian Jim Adamik in the title role.

Veteran actor-turned-playwright Don Reid was there, too. The Q has already staged his play “Codgers”, which dealt with the senior Aussie male.

Now Christine Dunstan Productions is bringing us the sequel, “Biddies”.

On the same theme, brought by Hit Productions, is Sue Fabisch’s “Motherhood, the Musical”, about the lives of four mums.

But fear not, theatre-going blokes: “What A Man’s Gotta Do” is a musical about manhood and rites of passage in Australia, written and performed by WA singer/songwriter Andrew Horabin and seen at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

“Chasing the Lollyman” is a satirical, one-man show from Queensland indigenous performer, Mark Sheppard, who plays many characters, mixing stand-up, storytelling and clowning.

More satire will be seen in David Williamson’s comedy, “Let the Sunshine”, staged by Hit Productions’ regular director Denis Moore and billed as “part ‘Romeo and Juliet’, part ‘Meet the Parents’”.

A more serious note will be struck in “April’s Fool”, David Burton’s play based on the true story of a young man’s death from drug use, but really about family and the choices we make.

And there’s pure entertainment in “Everly”, where old Everly Brothers favourites such as “Bye-Bye Love” and “Wake up, Little Susie” are brought to life.

Pike’s directorial turn comes at the end of the year in an inspired choice – “Hair, The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical”. Amazing it’s survived so long after the Vietnam War and the hippie era – it’s the songs!

“In the Mood” is now open for bookings. Information at 6285 6290 or www.theq.net.au