The first public outing of Dave Armstrong’s topical play, Anzac Eve, changed the perceptions of the largely young audience who had a chance to see a work in progress. 

Although only a workshop production, the quality of the writing, direction (by Jamie McCaskill), and acting held a packed house without need of sets, lighting or effects. 

It was not only first class entertainment, but also a chance to obtain a new understanding of what really happened a century ago. 

Four young travellers meet at Gallipoli the night before the Anzac ceremonies. The two Kiwi guys (Adam Brown and Jared Kirkwood) and two Australian girls (Awhina-Rose Ashby and Brynley Stent) soon progress from typical cross-Tasman bickering to discussing why they have made the journey. 

Prejudices are aired, myths bust, and parallels drawn between then and now. It’s a strong exploration of unsavoury fact versus popular fiction, and also allows Armstrong to feature favourite subjects that people prefer to avoid —such as race, sexuality, religion, depression and suicide. 

On this showing alone, Anzac Eve deserves funding to tour schools on both sides of the Tasman as well as appear on professional stages. 

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ANZAC Eve had its premiere in Wanaka’s Festival of Colour as a workshop production. This meant there were minimal props, no set and no stage lighting. Just four terrific young actors, a great script and a director with a keen sense of timing and rhythm.

Set at ANZAC Cove on Gallipoli on 24 April, the play tells the story of two Kiwi guys and two Australian girls meeting and setting up camp for the night as they prepare for ANZAC Day. 

From his first entrance, as cocky young Kiwi Phil, on his Big OE, to his final ‘evacuation’, Jared Kirkwood delivers a standout performance.

He is matched by Adam Brown playing young Kiwi academic, Ben. In a challenging role, Brown uses Ben’s superior knowledge of history to debate the legitimacy of the Gallipoli campaign, as well as war in general. 

It’s not long before Phil and Ben are joined by two Aussie girls from the Gold Coast: Maia, played by Brynley Stent, and Lizzie, played by Awhina-Rose Ashby.  The girls have come prepared with their sleeping bags and ‘Skippy the kangaroo’ onesies, and with Phil sharing his ‘special’ orange juice, it is game on.

Despite minimal stage action, ANZAC Eve works brilliantly as a piece of theatre. The four young actors keep the audience entertained and challenged as they focus on how they will survive the night, at the same time as they debate the deeper issues surrounding the ANZAC experience.

It is also great to see plenty of young people in the audience and a forum after the performance gives them and the rest of the audience the opportunity to question the actors, director and writer.

This may be a workshop production, but this is a play with legs that is already up and running.

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