We might be in the middle (fingers crossed) of lockdown, but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on the madcappery of the Castanet Club exhibition at Newcastle Museum.
That’s because the iconic Novocastrian comedy troupe retrospective has been turned into a variety show that harkens back to the halcyon days of Don Lane and Mike Walsh, but is 100 per cent Castanets.
Almost Live from the Castanet Club is a three-part series streaming on the Newcastle Museum’s Facebook and Instagram pages that delves deep into the crazy and colourful history of the group that launched the careers of the likes of Mikey Robins, Glenn Butcher, Steve “Sandman” Abbott, Angela Moore and Penny Biggins.
The series is hosted by Castanet, broadcaster and general mover and shaker Maynard and Newcastle Museum curator David Hampton told Newcastle Live that when it came to hosts with the most, it was pretty hard to overlook Maynard’s anarchic stylings.
“He does an absolutely amazing job,” David said.
“It’s like there’s a switch on his back that you just switch and away he goes.”
The production itself is also a homage to the creative melting-pot spirit of the Castanet Club, with David adding the end result has been due to the meeting of many minds.
“So many people have come together to make this show,” he said.
“There’s live music from The Lairs, sound engineering from. Scion Audio, filming by Duke from Duke’s Creations, we had original graphic design done by Ben Mitchell – it’s been this intersection of all sorts of creative people from Newcastle.
Episode one is live now and you will be enthralled as the Medly Sisters join us from the 1980s and get into a banjo duel…with a violin and accordion. You will drool in slack-jawed amazement as Maynard makes a special Castanet Club-themed cocktail with Sprout Catering & Kitchen bartender Harry.
The whole glorious virtual shindig is rounded out with a toe-tappin’ performance from m The Lairs which is sure to take you all the way to the Las Vegas strip.
Head here to check out Almost Live from the Castanet Club and stay up-to-date on future episode drops.
Also on Newcastle Live
Bao-Chicka-Bao-Bao! The Brothers have done it again with at-home party kits!
Lady Petrol drop blistering debut album Molecular Melodies
Beat the lockdown blues with some local takeaway booze!
A month of virtual fun and knowledge awaits on the Sydney Science Trail!
Betty’s Burgers opens doors in Newcastle!
