OTHER PEOPLE’S WARS
) Photo: David Lawrence |
Adapted by Dean Parker from the book by Nicky Hager Directed by David Lawrence The Bacchanals at BATS, Wellington From 17 Apr 2012 to 28 Apr 2012 Reviewed by: John Smythe; Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post); |
“Killing Taliban is my business, and business is good!”
The so-called ‘War on Terror' has been the longest foreign war in NZ history, yet most New Zealanders know almost nothing about our part in it.
Since the 9/11 attacks the NZ military have successfully duped both public and government over the true nature of our involvement in America's illegal invasion of Afghanistan, hiding behind a cloud of bogus PR tales of ‘peacekeeping' and ‘humanitarian aid'.
As much as John Key wants to dismiss Hager's book as “a work of fiction”, the fact is throughout history whenever America calls, the NZ military answers, regardless of public opinion, morality or even the express commands of government.
“Like Dean Parker, I wanted to act quickly as soon as I read Nicky Hager's book,” says director David Lawrence, “because I couldn't believe what I was reading. For the decade NZ has been proud of our government standing up to the United States and refusing to participate in the War on Terror. It's astonishing to learn that we were lied to by the government, who were equally lied to by the military, about what we were really doing in the Middle East.”
Award-winning company The Bacchanals reunite with award-winning playwright Dean Parker (Slouching Toward Bethlehem) to present the world premiere stage adaptation of Nicky Hager's controversial 2011 book.
CAST: Diana Aurisch, Kirsty Bruce, Joe Dekkers-Reihana, Blair Everson, Alex Greig, Julia Harrison, Brianne Kerr, Hilary Penwarden, Jonny Potts and Paul Waggott.
17-28 April, 8PM
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce
BOOKINGS: 04 802 4175 / book@bats.co.nz
TICKETS: $20 / 14
www.bats.co.nz
Alex Greig</strong> The Playwright, Pat Tilman, ‘Hots' Hotaling, Lieutenant-Colonel Antony Shaffer
Blair Everson Shaukat Zamani, Mohammed Mohammed, Commander Frank Wierscinski, Mike Davidson
Brianne Kerr</strong> Major Louisa Parkinson, Mrs Hamilton, Warren Tucker
Diana Aurisch Second Afghani Woman, News Presenter
Hilary Penwarden Commander Tommy Franks, First Afghani Woman
Joe Dekkers-Reihana Richard Armitage,Willie Apiata, Steve Mahoney, Jerry Mataparae
Jonny Potts Charles Swindells, George Bush, Kandahar Police Chief, Darby Allen
Julia Harrison Phil Goff, Zarghunah, Captain Helen Murphy
Kirsty Bruce Air Marshall Carey Adamson, Air Vice Marshall John Hamilton, Private Jessica Lynch, Third Afghani Woman
Paul Waggott Richard Clark, Commander Martyn Dunne, Air Marshall Bruce Ferguson, Wayne Mapp, Christopher Startinsky
Publicist Brianne Kerr
Associate Producer Charlotte Simmonds
Lighting Design Uther Dean & William O'Neil
Stage Manager Salesi Le'ota
Technical Operator William O'Neil
Cartographologist Jean Sergent
Graphic Design Santa's Little Helper
Original Choreography Julia Harrison
Dance Captain Salesi Le'ota
Photography Benny Vandergast
Head Mechanist Alex Greig
Directed by David Lawrence