Rolling Thunder Vietnam Returns in 2016

THE Australian concert drama Rolling Thunder Vietnam – Songs That Defined A Generation returns for an exclusive national tour in July-August 2016 to commemorate the 50^thanniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

The production toured nationally after premiering at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane, under the musical direction of Chong Lim (John Farnham Band, Dancing With the Stars).

Rolling Thunder Vietnam showcases an outstanding cast, including rising talents Kimberley Hodgson, Tom Oliver, Will Ewing and Matt Pearce (currently appearing in the musical RENT at Hayes Theatre Co.) They will be joined by the singer-actor Ben Mingay, star of Wonderland and Packed to the Rafters. Ben also played the role of Tommy Devito in the Australian tour of Jersey Boys and Billy in Dirty Dancing on London’s West End.

Announcing the exclusive 2016 season of Rolling Thunder Vietnam, producer Rebecca Blake said that it was only a matter of time before the show was back in front of audiences again.

“The way Rolling Thunder connected to people when it first toured Australia was very special. Everyone loved hearing those great songs and they were genuinely moved by the storytelling.

“The positive responses from Vietnam Veterans and their families were overwhelming. It was as though they’d been waiting for years to experience their story on stage in such a vibrant and powerful way. It’s a tremendous thrill to be bringing the show back next year, especially in the 50^thanniversary year of the Battle of Long Tan in which precious young lives were lost.”

The season includes performances in Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong, the Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle and Perth.

The production includes rock classics by Steppenwolf, Joe Cocker, Buffalo Springfield, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Gladys Knight, Billy Thorpe, The Rolling Stones and Paul Simon.

Conscription, combat, protest and homecoming, Rolling Thunder Vietnam - Songs that Defined A Generation combines personal stories of young Vietnam War soldiers with classic songs of the era.

The Vietnam War was the world’s first televised war. More than any other conflict it produced some of the most popular and enduring songs of the 20th century. The 2016 tour of Rolling Thunder Vietnam coincides with a number of planned events to honour the 50^thanniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. The conflict took place on 18 August 1966 in a rubber plantation near Long Tan in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. Eighteen Australians were killed and more than 20 wounded.

Rolling Thunder Vietnamfeatures projected images and historic news footage. It is written by Bryce Hallett (Freeway – The Chet Baker Journey) and directed by David Berthold (Brisbane Festival artistic director). Based on first-hand interviews with Vietnam War veterans and actual letters, the stories reveal the danger of combat, the rise of the anti-war protest movement in the late ‘60s, comradeship and the toll of war on relationships and families.

The “songs that defined a generation” include Fortunate Son, All Along the Watchtower, The Letter, What’s Going On, Born to be Wild, Killing Me Softly with His Song, We’ve Gotta Get out of This Place andBridge Over Troubled Water.

www.rollingthundervietnam.com

Image: Dylan Evans.

VENUES AND DATES

MELBOURNE

VENUE: Palais Theatre

SEASON: Saturday 23 July

TIMES: Matinee 2pm and evening 7.30pm.

TICKETS: From $79.90

BOOKINGS:136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au

Groups 10+ Call 136 100

SYDNEY

VENUE: State Theatre