Rolling Thunder Vietnam

Rolling Thunder Vietnam is an explosive, raw and visceral experience - a look at the Vietnam War using a collection of rock ‘n’ roll songs of the era and a narrative culled from personal stories and letters from the front.

Plot-wise it follows the enlistment experiences of Johnny, a young man from a rural drought-stricken farm in Queensland, his love for his sweetheart Sarah, and his friendship with his American marine buddy, Thomas. Bryce Hallett’s narrative effectively juxtaposes what is happening on the battlefront with what is happening at home, making for an engrossing piece of concert-theatre. It’s especially poignant in the second act, and even though the fate of the lovers is telegraphed miles ahead, when it finally is revealed it still whacks a whopping punch in the gut thanks to David Berthold’s astute direction.

But this is a show about the songs and what classics they are; Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride” and “Born to be Wild”, Credence Clearwater Revival’s “Run Through the Jungle” and “Fortunate Son”, The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” and The Animals’ “We’ve Gotta Get Outa This Place”. They not only define the era, but instantly transport you back to a time of street protests, hippies, and the late sixties drug-culture. The Australian content is restricted to two songs, but they’re great songs, Billy Thorpe’s “Most People I Know Think That I’m Crazy” and Russell Morris’s “The Real Thing”.

The cast of six work their butts off in a series of high-energy vocals, backed by one of the best group of rock musicians this country has ever seen, led by current keyboard wiz Chong Lim. His rambling dialogue underscore is masterful.

Fresh-faced Tom Oliver is believably gauche as Johnny and brings passion and grit to his vocals, especially the powerhouse finale “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. Tall and striking Matthew Pearce, a recent NIDA graduate, drips with machismo as the Yankee marine, while Wes Carr’s second-act mouth-organ solo burned. Kimberley Hodgson delivers a heartfelt performance as the sweetheart left-behind, and is especially moving on “Killing Me Softly with His Song”. Vanessa Krummenacher and Will Ewing added some blistering back-up vocals.

Adam Garnir’s set with its four AV panels was simple and effective but it was the images, from audio visual designer Toby Harding, that brilliantly surprised. Surreal, beautiful and horrific, their impact was potent.

Peter Pinne

Images: Dylan Evans RTV Productions.

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