Written by George Bavinton
Directed by Shirley Halpin
Our friend, George Bavington, Life Member and former Secretary, sadly passed away September 25, 2019 - we remember him as the playwright who gave us the splendidly graphic wartime drama, Price Of Peace.
George drew on his own childhood memories in Cairns, of the euphoria that erupted when peace was declared after World War 2. "The war was finally over, and amid anguish, pain, triumph and joy, the survivors came home. It was time to begin the massive challenge of rebuilding - families, homes, careers, loves, lives"
"Missing believed killed" Jim (played by Bob Adams) returns unexpectedly from the Japanese prison camp Changi, deeply psychologically scarred and violent. He finds that his wife Eileen (Sherry Barnes) has begun a new life with Dutch officer Gus (the late Brett Fielding) and had a child.
Sherry Barnes recalls scenes with each of the talented actors, Brett & Bob, were powerfully raw, gutsy and truthful, due to George's "no holds barred" dialogue and insight into the intensity of the characters' escalating emotions.
The News-Mail theatre review described Bob's portrayal as "forceful to the point of frightening"
Light-hearted relief was supplied by Gus and Eileen's army mates, Wally (Les Koch) and his WAAC girlfriend Joyce (Trena-Jane Reisenleiter).
Price of Peace could not have been in more skilful hands than those of our Artistic Director, Shirley Halpin. |