Strong actors needed for war play

Anzac Day is a time to remember the fallen, but what about those soldiers who survived, those who were forced to live out a life sentence of wartime memories?

That is the focus of the next Unity Theatre play which is being cast this Sunday (January 22) at the Unity clubrooms on Ormond Road.

A Time Like This is written by Gisborne woman Jackie Davis, who debuted her first play Whether I Fall at the theatre last year.

Her latest work, which was supported by a Margaret King Spencer Writer’s Encouragement Trust grant, looks at the individual impact of war by following New Zealand World War 1 veteran Douglas Chapman.

The drama starts at an ANZAC parade in 1984. Douglas is an 88-year-old living in a rest home in Auckland. He is lonely and sad, and he drinks too much.

But Chapman is not your average veteran.

During the war, the 22-year-old, who we meet through Chapman’s drunken reminiscing, is a sensitive and quietly spoken soldier stationed in France. He is also a war artist.

As we learn about Chapman’s life in the last weeks of the war, we also meet the serviceman’s family.

Harriet is young Chapman’s wife.

When her husband is sent to war, Harriet takes a job at the library as a way of building her own life.

When Chapman returns after the war, Harriet faces societal disapproval as she attempts to keep her job, which she has come to love.

Harriet’s sister, a submissive character also features, as does Harriet’s husband, a cunning man who has bluffed his way through the war.

“These are strong and demanding acting roles, especially old Douglas and young Douglas,” says Davis, who will direct the play. “We are excited to present the world premiere of this play that will challenge both audiences and actors.”

There is also a multipart character which encompasses a young Hawaiian boy, a ship’s doctor, a young soldier and the manager of Auckland Public Library.

“They are four small but pivotal roles, suited for a versatile actor,” says Davis.

The play is scheduled to show in late April or early May, with a specific date to be finalised. Audition material is available from Gisborne i-SITE. All audition excerpts and sheets must be brought to the audition or returned to Gisborne i-SITE.

¦ Auditions for A Time Like This at Unity Theatre, 209 Ormond Road; this Sunday January 22 (3pm).