If you missed the well attended event “Voices from Gallipoli” at the Monkey House Theatre last Friday then it was your great misfortune.
On a rather wet night Mark Wright, who wrote and performed his own play, gave the audience a compelling insight into the Gallipoli campaign fought in 1915/16.
It was a solo performance but Wright portrayed 9 characters within his staggering one and a half hours on stage without an intermission. An interval would have broken the mood of the transfixed audience.
The occasional silences during the play gave people a chance to reflect on this terrible time in history. There is power in silence.
He brought to life the history of that famous disastrous theatre of war where thousands of young lives were lost, both men and women, Maori and Pakeha.
The play should be compulsory viewing for all senior school students. This event is part of our history and history is now part of the new school curriculum.
His outstanding performance cleverly combined the craft of acting alongside the portrayal of this historic event.
Despite his masterful depiction of the Gallipoli tragedy Mark Wright managed to weave brilliant moments of humour into his script.
He gave us an evening to remember.
The intimate venue of the Monkey House theatre was perfect, thank you Kaspur and Molly
Many of us would like to extend gratitude to Sharon Morcom and her team who work hard to bring performances to our town.
Live performances are to be cherished and if we want actors and musicians to come here then we need to turn out and support them – even on a wet night!
