PLEASE NOTE: Due to current health concerns and restrictions related to COVID-19, the Rolling Thunder Vietnam 2020 tour of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney has been postponed. Visit the Rolling Thunder Vietnam website for the full statement.
Rolling Thunder Vietnam
March 18-19, QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
March 21, The Star, Gold Coast
Rolling Thunder Vietnam, written by Bryce Hallett and directed by David Berthold, is a unique and powerful production comprising vastly experienced musicians led by the esteemed musical director Chong Lim. It combines potent and poetic songs of the ‘60s and ‘70s, stunning video footage across four screens and truthful storytelling inspired by interviews with Vietnam War veterans and actual letters. Since its world premiere in Brisbane in 2014, it has become one of the most talked-about musical and theatrical events to be created and mounted in Australia.
The production features many of the greatest rock songs ever written and produced, including classics by Steppenwolf, Joe Cocker, Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Gladys Knight, Billy Thorpe and Paul Simon. The era of the Vietnam War – the world’s first televised war – spawned some of the most strident and lyrical songs of the 20th century: Fortunate Son, All Along The Watchtower, The Letter, Magic Carpet Ride, Help Me Make it Through the Night, Born to Be Wild, War, Paint it Black, Killing Me Softly With His Song and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Producer Rebecca Blake said: “The show has earned rave reviews as an electrifying tour de force; a vibrant and emotionally-stirring production with humanity and heart. The Vietnam Vets have warmly embraced the show and that means a lot to our wider audiences…We are thrilled to have such an outstanding cast and the best musicians you could hope to find anywhere in the world.”
Rising star of the Australian stage Annie Aitken has been announced to play the female lead of the country girl/anti-war protestor Sarah, joining Toby Francis (Once, Kinky Boots) as conscripted soldier Andy, Matthew Pearce (Calamity Jane, Rent) as American marine Thomas and Brisbane’s own Tom Oliver (Velvet, Marcia Hines Band) reprising the pivotal role of the good-hearted larrikin soldier Johnny. They are joined by supporting artists Imogen Moore and Will Ewing.
Dr Brendan Nelson, the outgoing Director of the Australian War Memorial, is Patron of the 2020 tour. The limited season includes performances in Geelong, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.
Encompassing conscription, combat, love letters, protest and homecoming, Rolling Thunder Vietnam is both epic and intimate, and largely illuminates the unpopular war from an Australian perspective. The narrative, set in the traumatic and fast-changing late ‘60s, draws audiences inside the lives of young men on the battlefront and their families and loved ones at home.
For ticketing and further information, visit the Rolling Thunder Vietnam website.
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