<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>338414</docID> <postdate>2025-02-16 13:38:15</postdate> <headline>‘Joyous’ CATS, with a touch of melancholy</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-338411" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_2025.jpg" alt="" width="945" height="600" /></p> <caption>Gold CAT winner Dave Smith gives the audience some Razzle Dazzle. Photo: Helen Musa</caption> <p><strong>Flanked by showgirls from Legs Dance Academy and fellow singers Kaitlin Nihill and Dave Collins, Gold CAT winner at Saturday’s glittery 30<sup>th</sup> CAT Awards held at The Q, Dave Smith, treated the audience to a bit of "razzle-dazzle" from the musical Chicago. </strong></p> <p>Smith had just been honoured for his performance in Next to Normal and direction of Nice Work if You Can Get It
for Queanbeyan Players.</p> <p>A well-known musical theatre performer and former professional opera singer who juggles his day job in the public service with his great love of theatre and raising three small kids, his avowed theatrical philosophy is, “sometimes we just need entertainmentâ€.</p> <p>On a more melancholy note, the Silver CAT Award went posthumously to Annette Challis, the co-founder Revolution Theatre Productions in in Albury Wodonga, for a lifetime of support to theatre and the community.</p> <p>It was not the only melancholy touch to an otherwise joyous afternoon, as tributes were paid to two late CATS stalwarts, musician Norma Robertson and stage director/performer Stephen Pike, in both of whose names awards have now been established.</p> <p>There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Collins, accompanied by Leisa Keen at the piano, sang one of Pike’s most famous numbers, Bring Him Home, from Les Miserables, before the curtain went down on Act I.</p> <p><img class=" wp-image-338412" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_2046.jpg" alt="" width="752" height="501" /></p> <caption>CATS founder Coralie Wood with showgirls from Legs. Photo: Helen Musa</caption> <p>During the afternoon of awards covering amateur shows in 2024, a packed audience of punters from around the region – you could tell where people came from by the cheers – applauded awards in theatre and dance.</p> <p>While on the local front Queanbeyan Players and Canberra Rep were bathed in glory, it was by no means a local night only, as the honours were spread out across the southern region of NSW.</p> <p>This provided evidence of the strength and passion for theatre in companies, schools, academies and even the NSW Department of Education. The smiles on the faces were enough to show you just how people felt.</p> <p>The announcements were interspersed with showbiz dance and musical hits and even a monologue from a play, all performed under the director of Keen, with affable MC Andy Bell at the mike.</p> <p>The presentations included special CAT commendations to Anna Butler for stage managing 3000+ schoolchildren in Southern Stars, to Neville Pye for sound design, to Dave Tricks for his dedication as mic technician, to Oxley College, Bowral for supporting performing arts, to See Me Hear Me Theatre, Tumut, for inclusivity and to a team of “Dragon Mothers†– Sarea Nicholas, Jessica Coates, Karen Malam, Tam Connor, Mel McDonald and Vicki Young – for set, costumes and puppetry work in Canberra.</p> <p><img class=" wp-image-338413" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/MagicMomentsInTheatreCover.jpg" alt="" width="356" height="508" /></p> <caption>The new CATs book Magic Moments</caption> <p>At the end of the proceedings, chair of the CATS board, Ian Mclean, traced the recent history of the CATS, which had been founded by Coralie Wood and Kate Peters in 1995 and which had now, happily, been rescued by sponsorship from Blumer’s Lawyers.</p> <p>McLean paid tribute to lawyer Mark Blumer’s "personal affinity†with theatre, saying it meant that the CATS could "joyfully celebrate 30 years thanks to Blumer’s.â€</p> <p>He also noted the contribution of now retired judge Oliver Raymond, who had over his 30 years of service, attended and judged no fewer than 934 shows for the CATS.</p> <p>McLean introduced a new history of the CATS from 1994-2024, put together for the 30<sup>th</sup> birthday by CATs board member David Whitbread, now available at all good bookstores.</p> <p>Naturally, Wood was on hand after the show to sign copies.</p> <h3><span style="color: #800000;">The full list of CAT winners for 2024</span></h3> <p>BEST SET DESIGN FOR A PLAY</p> <p>Jon Benn</p> <p><em>The Importance of Being Earnest</em>, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay</p> <p>BEST SET DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL, VARIETY OR DANCE PRODUCTION</p> <p>Oli Gait and Julie Fraser<em>, </em>Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra</p> <p>BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A PLAY</p> <p>Samantha Haslam and Deborah Franco<em>, </em>Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay</p> <p>BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL, VARIETY OR DANCE PRODUCTION</p> <p>Lola Lochrin, Kristy Lochrin, Belle Lochrin<em>, </em>Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra</p> <p>BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PRODUCTION</p> <p>Julia Armstrong and Dee Skinner<em>, </em>JAM Junior Albatross MTC, Nowra</p> <p>BEST LIGHTING DESIGN</p> <p>Justin Pham<em>, </em>Campbelltown Theatre Group</p> <p>TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT</p> <p>Trent Houssenloge, Chris Curran, Bonnie Neate, Suzy Piani and Alex Clifford, The Training Ground, Canberra</p> <p>JOHN THOMSON THEATRE MAGIC</p> <p>Griffith & Regional Association for the Performing Arts (GRAPA)</p> <p>BEST ORIGINAL WORK</p> <p>Lusi Austin,  Lemon Tea Theatre, Cowra</p> <p>Best Original Work for a School or Youth Production</p> <p>BJ Anyos, Georgia Pike-Rowney and Katie Lee Cavanagh<em>, </em>Child Players ACT, Canberra</p> <p>BEST ENSEMBLE IN A PLAY</p> <p>Arran McKenna, Stuart Roberts, Glen Brighenti, Antonia Kitzel, Steph Roberts, Holly Ross, <em>Bloody Murder</em>, Canberra Repertory Society</p> <p>BEST ENSEMBLE IN A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PRODUCTION</p> <p>The backup singers</p> <p><em>Southern Stars the Arena Spectacular: Magnifica</em>, Wollongong</p> <p>BEST ENSEMBLE IN A MUSICAL, DANCE OR VARIETY PRODUCTION</p> <p>The chorus, <em>Nice Work If You Can Get It</em>, Queanbeyan Players</p> <p>PATRICIA KELSON ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD</p> <p>Serena Ruscica, So Popera Productions, Wollongong</p> <p>BEST YOUTH ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY</p> <p>Banjo Campbell,  Oxley College, Bowral</p> <p>BEST YOUTH ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL</p> <p>Owen Hooper,  Scots All Saints College, Bathurst</p> <p>BEST YOUTH ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY</p> <p>Gloria Waters, Oxley College, Bowral</p> <p>BEST YOUTH ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL</p> <p>Ella Saxon,  Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga</p> <p>AND</p> <p>Kristin Mitchell, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts</p> <p>BEST YOUTH ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY</p> <p>Harrison Kirsch, Oxley College, Bowral</p> <p>AND</p> <p>Nicholas Doan,  Narrabundah College, Canberra</p> <p>BEST YOUTH ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY</p> <p>Emma Piva, Canberra Girls Grammar School</p> <p>BEST YOUTH ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL</p> <p>Lachlan Nicholls,  St Edmund's College, Canberra</p> <p>BEST YOUTH ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL</p> <p>Emily Saeki,  Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga</p> <p>BEST VARIETY PERFORMANCE BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR ENSEMBLE</p> <p>Jayda Ciocci, <em> Stars the Arena Spectacular: Magnific</em>a, NSW Department of Education, Wollongong</p> <p>BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MONOLOGUE OR ONE-ACT PLAY</p> <p>Bruce Hardie,  Canberra Repertory Society</p> <p>BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR ENSEMBLE</p> <p>Katy Hinch-Parr, "Legs" Dance, Canberra</p> <p>BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY</p> <p>Jimmy Roe, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay</p> <p>BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL</p> <p>Brad Roe,  Rehearsal Room, Campbelltown</p> <p>BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY</p> <p>Felicity Burke,  Campbelltown Theatre Group</p> <p>AND</p> <p>Nicki James,  Campbelltown Theatre Group</p> <p>BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL</p> <p>Anna Tully,  Queanbeyan Players</p> <p>BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY</p> <p>Joshua Paterson,  Campbelltown Theatre Group</p> <p>AND</p> <p>Keelan Judge,  Campbelltown Theatre Group</p> <p>BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL</p> <p>Luke Ferdinands,  Queanbeyan Players</p> <p>BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY</p> <p>Liz St Clair Long, Canberra Repertory Society</p> <p>BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL</p> <p>Sarah Hull,  Queanbeyan Players</p> <p>BEST CHOREOGRAPHY</p> <p>Bonnie Neate and Suzy Piani,  The Training Ground, Canberra</p> <p>AND</p> <p>Laura Pearce, Charlotte Gearside and Annaleisha Cologna<em>, </em>St Clare's College, Canberra</p> <p>BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION FOR A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PRODUCTION</p> <p>David Saxon and Rebecca Saxon, Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga</p> <p>BEST DIRECTOR OF A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PLAY</p> <p>Rachel Pengilly<em>, </em>Narrabundah College, Canberra</p> <p>BEST DIRECTOR OF A SCHOOL OR YOUTH MUSICAL</p> <p>Helen McLean,  The Illawarra Grammar School, Mangerton</p> <p>BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION</p> <p>Jen Hinton</p> <p><em>Next to Normal</em>, Queanbeyan Players</p> <p>BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY</p> <p>Josh Wiseman,  Canberra Repertory Society</p> <p>BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL OR VARIETY SHOW</p> <p>Dave Smith,  Queanbeyan Players</p> <p>BEST DANCE PRODUCTION</p> <p>"Legs" Dance, Canberra</p> <p>BEST PRODUCTION OF A SCHOOL OR YOUTH MUSICAL</p> <p>Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga</p> <p>BEST PRODUCTION OF A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PLAY</p> <p>Narrabundah College, Canberra</p> <p>BEST PRODUCTION OF A VARIETY SHOW</p> <p>Southern Stars NSW Department of Education, Wollongong</p> <p>BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY</p> <p>Canberra Repertory Society</p> <p>BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL</p> <p>Queanbeyan Players, Nice Work if You Can Get it.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </body>