A Town Named War Boy
Marking the centenary of Gallipoli is a unique and evocative collaboration between ATYP and the State Library of NSW. A Town Named War Boy draws on excerpts from the libraries collection of letters, diaries and photographs from the young men who became the ANZAC legends. Created by award winning writer Ross Mueller, it’s neither purely verbatim nor strictly fictional but tracks the journey of four young men, interweaving their diary excerpts throughout the narrative. The State Library as a performance space brings an added dimension.
Joshua Brennan (M. Rock, Parer’s War) plays ‘Snow’ and has as strong belief in the emotional power of this work. “It’s been so revealing to see why these young guys went to war,” says Brennan. “It was framed as this great adventure to join up with your mates and go to these exotic places – you can see why they jumped at the opportunity.”
Even as an actor, Brennan is reticent to put himself too readily into the shoes of the young men who faced such a vicious onslaught on that Gallipoli beachhead. “It’s pretty hard to fathom really – I just try to be respectful of it as best I can,” he explains. “It’s nothing I can really begin to understand.”
29 April – 9 May, Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of New South Wales, Macquarie St, Sydney, $30, atyp.com.au, 02 9270 2400.
