Having enjoyed rave reviews and touched the hearts and minds of audiences around the country, Aucklanders will finally have the opportunity to see Dave Armstrong's musical theatre production, King & Country when it premieres here as part of the Going West Books & Writers Festival 30 August to 2 September at the Glen Eden Playhouse.

Check out www.goingwest.co.nzHaving enjoyed rave reviews and touched the hearts and minds of audiences around the country, Aucklanders will finally have the opportunity to see Dave Armstrong's musical theatre production, King & Country when it premieres here as part of the Going West Books & Writers Festival 30 August to 2 September at the Glen Eden Playhouse.

Check out www.goingwest.co.nzFollowing the success of his award-winning piece, Niu Sila, (co-written with Naked Samoan Oscar Kightley) Armstrong is set to delight audiences once again with his inimitable and perceptive skill for telling stories about New Zealanders.

Drawing on letters, diaries, newspaper reports and songs from the time, King & Country is a work of fiction that tells the stories of ordinary soldiers, nurses and civilian New Zealanders during World War One. New Zealand songs from the period are incorporated into the storyline, with live backing provided by the Waitakere City Brass band, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere.

Inspired to create King & Country after his mother showed him his grandfather's letters and poems from the Western Front, Armstrong is like many of us who now wish we'd listened to those stories more attentively.

"I was about twelve when I heard my grandfather talk about life in the trenches and, at the time, I have to admit I found the whole idea of war tedious," says Dave Armstrong. "I now wish I'd listened a bit more closely."

Armstrong's writing, under Conrad Newport's direction and a talented ensemble of actor/singers, vividly brings to life the humour, sorrow and terror of the war experiences.
King & Country follows four soldiers (two Maori; two Pakeha), their commanding officer and a Red Cross nurse from their homes in New Zealand to Egypt for training and onto the bloodied shores of Gallipoli. The actors also tell their personal family war stories and sing songs from the period, including seldom-heard Maori hymns.

Going West Festival Manager, Naomi McCleary says it's a coup for the Festival to have the honour of hosting the play for the first time in Auckland. "Plays of this calibre would usually be performed in the central city, so it's wonderful for West Auckland to have the opportunity to share it with Aucklanders for the first time."

Having provided the stage for local theatre for more than 70 years, the newly refurbished Glen Eden Playhouse is an appropriate venue as it too is steeped in history. The art deco style red brick building was built in 1935 and is an icon of the local community.

"It's a rare opportunity for us to show the rest of Auckland what a top class facility this has become and we anticipate that this play will attract quite a few people to go West!", concludes Naomi McCleary.

Booking Details
Venue: The Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre, 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden, Waitakere City
Dates: 8pm, Wednesday 30th August - Saturday 2nd September, 2pm matinee Saturday 2nd September
Tickets: $35 adults, $25 concessions and $15 students
Bookings: Waitakere City Council ph: (09) 836 8000 extn 8167

King & Country has a running time of 90 minutes with no interval.

Visit www.goingwest.co.nz for more information