The Anzac Project

These two one-act plays were commissioned by the Ensemble Theatre to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Australia New Zealand Army Corps first national military action, on 25th April 1915, landing onto what is now known as ANZAC Cove in the Gallipoli peninsula on the Turkish coast. The big picture plan was to interupt the German oil supply and draw enemy troops away from Europe. The invasion was a disaster. Engineered by the British, ANZAC troops were landed a mile from their planned location and were confronted by high cliffs, little shelter and a murderous barage from Turkish artillery and machine gun fire. Over 3,000 died or were wounded. Lest we forget.

This production is an excellent piece of theatre and a fine memorial to those who on died or were wounded and the families and loved ones who suffered as a result of this ill conceived campaign. Four actors play a variety of roles in both plays, all deftly directed by Mark Kilmurry. The teaming is excellent. Both plays move between the past and present and provide an informed, compassionate, engaging and often disturbing portrayal of the impact of this terrible event.The clever use of lighting, sound effects and very simple, yet effective, costume changes and props enables a fast pace and a riveting narrative in both.

Atherden's play is a relatively straightforward and has a well paced narrative that deals with a family past and present and their failure to really understand the nature and impact of war. The parents past and present dont really comprehend the effect of the carnage on their son/grandfather. Loyalty to the Commonwealth or ignorance of the event prevails and it saddens us to see the pathetic outcome.

Bates play is somewhat more convoluted but just as intriguing - again about family, love, patriotism, sacrifice, loss and the unreliability of memory. A mother is tormented by the potential loss of all her three sons. Hegh's performance is superb when she is informed by the ghoul of the lottery of lives that the so called Great War truely involves. This is a truely memorable moment.

Don't miss this outstanding production.

Stephen Carnell

Images: Anita Hegh, David Terry, Eric Beecroft and Amy Mathews & Eric Beecroft, Amy Mathews, Anita Hegh and David Terry in Light Begins To Fade from The Anzac Project. Photographer: Clare Hawley

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Our Feature on Gallipoli Plays Across Australasia