Entertainment
22 August, 2026
Shaun … sure does Cram it in
‘THERE’S no business like show business’ especially for Shaun Cram, star of the Clink Theatre’s ‘Cram It On Broadway’ held on Saturday 8 August, with both a matinee and evening performance.
The popular local character brought the annual musical theatre spectacular to life with his amazingly talented cast and crew creating yet another stellar show in two sellout performances.
With songs from shows as diverse as The Addams Family, Dogfight the Musical, The Prom, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Misérables, Into the Woods and Company, the range was immense.
This annual musical extravaganza was created by Mr Cram to raise money for the repair fund at The Clink Theatre and also for the Jack Heywood Memorial Arts Fund which supports artists wishing to explore any artistic endeavour. Apart from the valuable fund raising, the yearly stage show highlights local talent of all ages, styles of acting and genres of music.
For a bit of history, amateur thespians have entertained people in the Douglas Shire at least since the 1970s. Initially using various names such as the Port Douglas Players and Troubadours, they performed wherever a venue could be found, including hotel ballrooms, foyers and restaurants.
Operated by the Douglas Theatre Arts Group Inc., ‘The Clink’ has been a cornerstone of arts and culture in Port Douglas for more than 30 years. The venue is dedicated to producing high-quality amateur community theatre and providing creative opportunities for local performers, technicians and audiences.
With Cram It On Broadway fresh in everyone’s minds, I thought this would also be a great opportunity to find out a little more about one of the Douglas Shire’s most loved thespians.
A ‘Wey-Aye Man’ would be the appropriate way to greet Shaun Cram, having been born in Hebburn on industrial south Tyneside in northeast England.
He was just 10 when first lured by the smell of grease paint and finding out that the stage was his happy place.
On leaving school, however, he eventually fell into nursing, some 40 years ago. Shaun studied as a hospital-trained nurse and went on to gain a degree and many other postgraduate qualifications including teacher training.
With his underlying passion for the bright lights of the stage, Shaun decided to formally train as an actor, so auditioned and won a place at The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) London.
To escape 41 British winters, he emigrated to the Douglas Shire in 2004 and got involved with The Clink Theatre, working on productions with his late friend and mentor, Jack Heywood.
He has also performed with the Cairns Choral Society and at The Rondo Theatre.
Mr Cram was overwhelmed with the support for this year’s performances.
“With this extremely well received show under our belt, both the team and I are already planning Cram it on Broadway 2027,” he said.
Well I’m off to wish everyone at the Clink ‘chookas’, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
