Every morning around six o’clock, since the start of the year, Noosa showbiz whiz Ian Mackellar has woken up in his ‘Artist Retreat’ on a property at Cooroibah to feed Hope, his beloved dog, and greet other furry friends, Charlie, a golden retriever, Luca the horse and pet sheep Maggie-May who thinks she is a dog.
Then it’s been back inside to email and phone his many contacts in the world of show business and put together a star-studded Noosa Alive! — Noosa’s annual festival of the arts which starts for 10 days on July 15.
Tickets went on sale last week and Ian reports all events are selling well. The opening night of one show, David Williamson’s Up for Grabs, has already sold out which is all good news for Ian as it means the festival magic he weaved with Noosa Longweekend and then Noosa Alive for ten years until 2018 is still there.
Ian resumed his role as Festival Producer on January 6 and told Noosa Today it was “great to be back.
“Those ten years were a wonderful experience. I saw a lot of changes, particularly how the festival developed into a far greater community event involving many of our cultural associations like Noosa Chorale, Noosa Orchestra and Noosa Film Society”.
“To me part of the joy was bringing brilliant acts to Noosa, presenting events to people who would otherwise have had to travel a great distance to see and enjoy world class entertainment. I think it is very special.
“This year I’m delighted Queensland Ballet is returning with two new works. This will be the seventh year QB has been our cultural partner. We also have a wonderful concert featuring Noosa Orchestra, the Oriana Choir and guest artist, flautist Jane Rutter.
“One event that really excites me is the two exclusive boutique performances of -Cirque Bon-Bon’—featuring Cirque de Soleil performers which will close the festival.
“Last March (2020) all the Cirque de Soleil world- wide performances were closed because of Covid and all artistic personnel were flown back to their respective cities. There was a cluster of performers in Queensland (who would otherwise be performing overseas) and I saw this unique opportunity to invite them to Noosa Alive! for these exclusive festival performances.”
Ian said it would be a very special time for festival co-founder, David Williamson, who is celebrating his 50th anniversary in theatre, film and television. “There will be an elegant gala dinner in his honour with an up close and personal conversation with him.
“He has written his “Memoirs” to be published at the end of this year and David is going to share excerpts. People he has loved and loathed and everything in between.”
Last December Ian interrupted his “sabbatical” to create the “12 Days to Christmas” entertainment program in Hastings Street.
“It was quite a challenge. Hastings Street is a long street for entertainment. “12 Days of Christmas” was a great success, and the Hastings Street Association has invited me to discuss planning with the committee a 2021 Christmas program, something I will gain a lot of pleasure in doing.
Before that, on September 11, Hastings Street will be closed off from 4pm to 8pm when the association presents Noosa Beach Classica on Hastings Street, a spectacular classic vintage car event displaying 300 cars which Ian describes as “coming from all over the land.
“It’s a mammoth undertaking. I have been invited to provide the entertainment. We might feature several jazz quartets along the strip, may be a flapper or two, all towards creating a carnivale atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era. I’m looking forward to it. Really excited.”
Ian has been more than 50 years in show business and was eight years old when he first appeared on television on Perth’s TVW Channel 7 and for the next 12 years made regular appearances as a vocalist and program host.
“I co-hosted a live children’s programme for 3 years with the channel and sang a couple of songs every Saturday.
“During that time I studied speech and drama, got into theatrics and appeared in professional productions as a juvenile. I was a little tyke (Artful Dodger) in ‘Oliver” and I was in ‘Mame.’
“I just loved the theatre from the first moment. It felt just like coming home. I’ve always been involved in entertainment and performing. It is my passion. I’ve also written a couple of musicals and had my own production company in Sydney.
“I came to Noosa in 2002 and became heavily involved in Noosa Arts Theatre as a performer and director. I think I’ve directed and performed in something like 18 shows there.
Ian’s next theatre gig is at Noosa Arts in November when he will create and direct “Encore”—a celebration of highlights from musicals, including “Funny Girl”, “Cabaret” and “West Side Story,” which have been presented by the theatre during the last 50 years.
This will be followed with him directing a “very exciting musical” next year for Noosa Arts which will be announced later this year.
Meanwhile, Ian still needs to bring together many elements towards making this year’s Noosa Alive! entertainment the star-spangled success it promises to be.
And then the world of theatre and Hastings Street beckons and, of course, more quality time with Hope, Luca, Maggie-May, and Charlie.
