Tour of Dave Armstrong’s Anzac Eve kicks off at Bats

Media Release – for immediate release Friday 24 February 2017

National Tour of Dave Armstrong’s Anzac Eve kicks off at BATS

Two Kiwi guys meet two Aussie girls… the rest is history.

Dave Armstrong’s Anzac Eve begins a seven-week national tour with a strictly limited five-night season at BATS Theatre, Wellington from March 21 – 25.

Anzac Eve is an exciting new play about a disparate group of twentysomethings on their big OE, who happen upon each other the night before dawn commemorations at Gallipoli.

As Ben and Phil from Dunedin meet Lizzie (a ‘Mozzie’) and Maia from the Gold Coast, national pride and personal issues stir up strong feelings as tempers flare, romance sparks and ghosts are uncovered. Each young Anzac sees historical events through their own eyes.

Are they really there to solemnly commemorate the occasion or just looking for a boozy party and possible hook-up? Do these characters really know their history or are they simply buying into convenient Anzac myths? Have we really learnt from Gallipoli or are we still making the same mistakes 100 years later?

Anzac Eve is the latest play from award-winning writer Dave Armstrong whose previous works include Niu Sila, King and Country, The Motor Camp, and Le Sud. “I have observed the incredible interest that New Zealanders have in the commemoration of World War I,” says Dave, who worked on Te Papa’s blockbuster Gallipoli exhibition and the Gallipoli section of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s Nga Tapuwae app. ‘But at the same time I wonder if we too easily buy into convenient myths about Gallipoli and the Anzac spirit. Anzac Eve, as well as being a drama about four young people looking for a good time, attempts to encourage its audience to separate myth from reality.’

“Every battle is Chunuk Bair; every war is the First World War”

“Just four terrific young actors, a great script and a director with a keen sense of rhythm and timing.” Theatreview

Directed by Jamie McCaskill (Not in Our Neighbourhood, The Biggest), and featuring Hayden Frost (The Almighty Johnsons, Richard II, Public Service Announcements), Ruby Hansen (Second Afterlife – Circa Theatre), Barnaby Olson (No Post on Sunday, Grimm Fairytales - Circa Theatre, An Awfully Big Adventure), and Trae Te Wiki (The Trickle Down Effect, Last Meals), Anzac Eve is highly entertaining and takes an honest and unflinching look at the Anzac experience. This fresh and contemporary take on a significant time in our nation’s history is a must-see.

“First class entertainment. 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.” Otago Daily Times

Touring Nationwide with Tour-Makers from March 28 - May 6 2017

For full tour information visit www.tourmakers.co.nz

Tuesday 21 March – Saturday 25 March at 6.30pm

The Propeller Stage at BATS Theatre 1 Kent Tce

Book online at bats.co.nz or call 04 802 4175

Tickets: Full Price $22 Concession Price $16 Group 6+ $15

This play was commissioned by the Festival of Colour and

funded by NZ WW1 Centenary Fund

ENDS.

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