Based on the State Library of NSW’s jaw-dropping collection of first world diaries and letters, award winning Australian playwright Ross Mueller shows his extraordinary talent in A Town Named War Boy.

Bringing to life the personal accounts of the young men that set sail for the far side of the world, their exploits are our history - the ANZAC legend. A Town Named War Boy ensures our young past is captured, alive and preserved.

Featuring a cast 4 of astonishing young men, this co-production with the State Library of New South Wales is built specifically to tour to both theatrical and non-theatrical spaces and 2015’s world premiere season was praised by audiences and critics alike:

“Amid the hundreds of millions spent on the Anzac centenary, the Australian Theatre for Young People has created what for us has been the most moving Anzac experience of all. The play is called A Town Named War Boy, and was made with the use of the State Library of NSW collection of Anzac diaries. It ends its Sydney run on Saturday, but the hope is to take it touring." - The Australian

Venue Format
Theatre, Hall, Black Box Venue
Technical Rating
C
Touring Party
6
Considerations

This show has been specifically built to be able to tour to theatres, town halls, school halls and libraries. As long as there is a three phase power outlet and a sound system - it can be bumped in over a day and performed the next.

Australian Theatre for Young People is the national youth theatre company. We exist to connect young people with the professional theatre industry locally, regionally and nationally. It’s the principle on which the company was founded in 1963. It’s what drives us today.

Australian Theatre for Young People specialises in integrating professional theatre practice with supportive youth theatre process. We love working with all levels of the arts industry, from the most celebrated national companies to the smallest youth theatres. Our work supports young people from their first theatre experience to the launch of their professional careers.

Company Website
atyp.com.au

Unique Selling Point

In a market flooded with work based around the ANZAC centenary, A Town Named War Boy is hailed by both critics and audiences as one that stands out in the crowd. It is piece that has preven to resonate with both young and older audiences. While based on true, handwritten accounts from generations past, this adaptation is brought to life with a contemporary and relevant voice, played by actors the age of Australia's young soldiers.

The remount and tour of this production has already received $60,000 of support from the Centenary of ANZAC Fund, greatly reducing fees for presenters.

Marketing Materials

  • Published Script
  • HD show footage, trailers and TVC's
  • Full review packs from original productions
  • Production shots
  • Behind the scenes video resources

https://vimeo.com/126086197 https://vimeo.com/126086198 https://vimeo.com/126098110

  • Interactive education resources

https://www.joomag.com/magazine/a-town-named-war-boy-before-you-see-the-show-april-2015/0824261001430197567

https://www.joomag.com/magazine/a-town-named-war-boy-atyp-after-you-see-the-show/0115563001430287022

  • Full Scripts available for sale
  • Tailored education workshops

Community Engagement

ATYP will work with the State Library of NSW and Australia's Regional Library Networks to create a series of community partnerships that will accompany each production. These will connect both the towns communities and schools to tap into their own local history, discovering and exploring their own local heroes.

Local exhibitions could be created to bring to life the region's own letters and diaries from the era, with schools and students studying and engaging with them ahead of the production's arrival into town.

Upon viewing the play, local communities and schools will be given the opportunity to use their own historical stories to create a local version of the play that could be workshopped and performed.

A Town Named War Boy will connect communities with their own histories, bring them to life and highlight their important place in Australia's history.