Surf’s Up! was originally composed for this production.
Venue: Fanny’s Theatre Restaurant, Newcastle.
November – December, 1983
Surf’s Up! was written in a short 3 act structure – to fit around the serving of the dinner courses.
(Subsequently, it was extended a little and restructured to 2 Acts.)
CAST
Tony Squires: Bruce Bell
Julie Wilson: Rhonda
Marcello Capone: All other male roles
Caroline Mooney: All other female roles
BAND
Guitars: Jeff Dunn; Mark Tinson.
Bass Guitar: Greg Dawson
Drums: Les Gully
Farfisa Organ: Allan McFadden
The stage space was very small with a low ceiling, and no wing space. I loved the set by Geoff Nance – bright and colourful, it solved the wing space problems, and with a cloud painted on the ceiling made the small box feel wide open. There were even model seagulls scattered about it!
“At last, the sand opera! Surf’s Up! has a good rock sound and a story told all in song which affectionately, if loudly, sends up all those beach party movies of the 1960s … it is smoothly packaged, a shrewd attempt at putting together a theatre restaurant show which appeals to a younger audience than most … it has some lively songs by Allan McFadden … excellent choreography by Maria Mawkes and energetic performances by its cast.”
Ken Longworth (The Newcastle Herald November 26, 1983)

Opening Number
L to R: Marcello Capone, Tony Squires, Julie Wilson, Caroline Mooney

Rhonda (Julie Wilson) Mother (Caroline Mooney)

Bruce (Tony Squires) consults “The Man” (Marcello Capone)

The Bikie (Marcello Capone)

Bruce Bell’s Diary Confession

Riding the Waves!

Surf’s Up! Finale