CUE Entertainment is proud to present a celebration of 60 years of television in New Zealand with a concert performance
of popular TV theme tunes across the six decades in a show called, “Theme Me Up Scotty!” touring the South Island in
October.
Producer Tom Conroy spent lockdown developing a concept that would help rejuvenate the entertainment sector, once crowds
were allowed into venues. The idea being to create a show that would appeal to a wide demographic, employ as many local
artists as possible and by touring, stimulate trade for the businesses that traditionally support the performance
industry.
A 50-piece Christchurch Symphony Orchestra will be performing themes ranging from the classics like Hawaii Five-O,
Dallas and M*A*S*H, through to the contemporary hits composed for Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey and Sherlock. “Most TV
themes were played by small bands so to hear them recrafted by acclaimed Musical Director Tom Rainey ONZM and played by
a fantastic orchestra, takes the experience to a whole new level,” said Mr Conroy.
“We’re really looking forward to performing for audiences around the South Island and are delighted to be involved. Tom
is a master at putting together concerts of really great and entertaining music, so I know it’s going to be a lot of
fun,” said Gretchen La Roche, CSO Chief Executive.
To add to the attraction was securing popular TV presenter Suzy Cato to compere the shows. “We couldn’t believe our luck
getting Suzy to front the tour. As a much-loved TV personality, Suzy was the perfect fit in our effort to promote this
form of genuine, family entertainment. We’ve an inkling there’ll be many in the audience just there to see Suzy with the
theme tunes a bonus!”
Mr Conroy has been delighted with the support shown by all the parties involved, from the performing artists through to
the host venues, all of whom have come together to make this happen in a relatively short timeframe. “With no-one sure
of when audiences would be permitted, we were conscious there’d be few entertainment offerings that could be rolled out
at short notice, so the planning needed to be well advanced by Alert Level 1 and this co-operation has made it
possible.”
The tour takes in Timaru, Dunedin, Invercargill and Oamaru before finishing up in Christchurch.
Particularly pleasing for Mr Conroy was being able to include Stadium Southland on the tour. “Most of the celebrations
planned for the stadium’s 20 th birthday have been canned due to COVID-19 so it was great to provide something big they
can party around.”
CUE Entertainment has already fielded enquiries about extending the tour into the North Island.
“We’re frantically working with a number of venues up north to see if we can squeeze in some shows before Christmas,”
said Mr Conroy.Tuesday 6-Oct Timaru Southern Trust Event Centre TicketekWednesday 7-Oct DN Regent Theatre www.regenttheatre.co.nzThursday 8-Oct IN Stadium Southland TicketekFriday 9-Oct Oamaru Oamaru Opera House Opera House 03 4330770Saturday 10-Oct CH Christchurch Town Hall Ticketek