Access all the way: Swinging and Spinning with the Crooners

Beth: In The Crooners, your stage persona is ‘Mac’ and your co-stars are Tony ‘Dee’ Doevendans and Mick ‘Micky G’ Sattin. How did you cast the show?

Tim: When I wrote the show, I specifically did not want it to be a Rat Pack tribute act. But when you have a threesome like Sammy, Frank and Dean, they do suggest certain character types, and there are some similarities with myself, Tony and Mick. We have our own stories to tell and our own interpretations of the songs. I also did not set out to cast three lead singers who all use wheelchairs. But, like other artists, we met each other on the road and shared the stage in other shows. Frankly – and I tell the story in the show – I got tired of competing for the same parts with Tony on the audition circuit! So I decided to write something for us both to perform in! Then I was performing at the Gold Coast and Mick was singing the great Aussie rock anthems. We got chatting and found that we shared a love of the crooner style – and then he sent me a recording of his versions of some Tony Bennett songs – I wrote him into the show immediately! And it works well for the range of songs – we bring out the best in each other, and our characters bring out the best in the songs. We also have good fun on stage!

Beth: Paul, why take the ‘Rat Pack’ back to RPAC?

Paul: I worked with the Undercover Artist Festival in Brisbane a couple of years ago and watched The Crooners at the Kingston Butter Factory. So that’s where I met Tim and Tony and got involved. I was producing Queensland’s Matilda Awards at the time, so I asked Tim and Tony to perform. And I’m very happy to have been responsible for the first appearance on the awards’ stage of performers who were wheelchair users. Last year Tim secured some funding to redevelop the show, allowing us to add Mick to the cast and expand the set list. So, we wanted to take the guys back to RPAC as Tim originally intended – as a three-man show – because RPAC has always been an amazing supporter of the accessible arts and disability sector.

Beth: Tim, you’ve advocated for venue accessibility over many years. Have things improved?

Tim: The biggest improvement is that venues are now willing to make improvements and happy to consult with and listen to people with lived experience of disability. There are still some physical challenges that we have to face with some venues not having the full access that those of us with mobility issues need – but there are some venues that are going to extra lengths to really make sure that they are inclusive.

In The Crooners, we are providing all the physical access but we have also incorporated a barman character in our show – played by Allan Chilcott – who is also our Auslan interpreter. We endeavour to make our show a showcase of what inclusivity and equality in casting looks like. As well as the fabulous River City Ballroom Dancers, the show features a live jazz quartet – Todd Berlin on drums, Nick Maskell on bass, Martin Kay on saxophone, and pianist Jeff Usher, who is blind. Once again, we haven’t set out to cast people with disabilities – we have just chosen the right artists for the show.

Beth: Tim, you have spent the last few decades developing special singing training which allowed you to sing professionally again after a life-changing accident. Can you tell me about that?

Tim: I worked on a new breathing, singing and practice technique for many years and I’m still working on it! But I am now a qualified researcher and singing therapist – so I want to be able to help people with respiratory issues learn how to breathe properly through singing – and it’s a great way to do it. I work in the spinal injuries unit as a support officer for Spinal Life Australia and I run singing therapy courses at the spinal unit at the PA Hospital. The Hopkins Centre has helped fund research projects looking at how singing can help to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Respiratory therapy is really important, but why not do it while you are singing songs and having fun?

Beth: Music therapy is important for everyone! So, will you take The Crooners on the road?

Tim: Absolutely – we’d love to tour the show and bring it to some regional towns. We want these songs to be heard and to show the arts world that, while most of our cast have disabilities, we can get on the road on tour. We want to bring the songs to people, help regional performing arts centres look at their venues and broaden their audience through accessibility, and find opportunities to get involved with the local community – and maybe even do some singing together!

Swinging and Spinning with the Crooners is at RPAC on 12 June, 2025.

Find out more: www.rpac.com.au/what-s-on/all-events/the-crooners-swinging-and-spinning