25 April - Morrinsville Theatre's Anzac production - Once on Chunuk Bair
'Once on Chunuk Bair' a powerful New Zealand history play being presented by the Morrinsville Theatre.
This play tells the story of the Wellington Battalion of the New Zealand Infantry Brigade, and their gallantry at Gallipoli.
The Wellingtons take the strategically vital hilltop of Chunuk Bair from the Turks. The support promised by the British Command never eventuated, but the 'Fernleaves' held their position despite strong fighting from the Turks. The heavy losses they sustain are compounded when British artillery mistakenly bombards the Kiwi positions. When they are finally relieved, the initial group of 700 soldiers barely musters 40 men.
This is the story of New Zealand's emergence as a nation. Once on Chunuk Bair is a searing tribute to the sacrifice a generation made. It is a tale of tragedy, heroism and heartbreak which stands as a masterpiece of remembrance 110 years after the event
This is a powerful New Zealand play, full of humour, drama and tragedy.