Rolling Thunder Vietnam Returns in 2023

Rock drama Rolling Thunder Vietnam returns to the stage in 2023 for its most extensive national tour to date.

The show, which last toured Australia in 2016 returns for limited performances in April, May and June 2023. The tour plays Gold Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba, Caloundra, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, Perth, Adelaide, Frankston and Melbourne. At the production’s heart is a love story of courage, longing and resilience. Tom Oliver (Velvet, The Marcia Hines Band) reprises the role of country boy Johnny.

Rolling Thunder Vietnam combines great rock classics of the ‘60s and ‘70s, video footage across four screens, and heartfelt storytelling inspired by interviews with Vietnam War veterans and actual letters. In an era of uncertainty and the war in Ukraine, the show’s themes of courage and loss, allegiance and displacement, protest and peace, are resonant and timely.

Since the world premiere of Rolling Thunder Vietnam at QPAC in Brisbane in 2014, the production has been warmly received by Veterans and in 2023 Rolling Thunder Vietnam will be supporting Soldier On, a not-for-profit organisation providing integrated and holistic support services to Australia’s Defence personnel, contemporary veterans and their families.

Producer Rebecca Blake said: “The show has earned rave reviews as ‘an electrifying tour de force’ that ‘reaches deep into the soul’. It connects to a broad audience, not only because of its brilliant songs but because it has so much humanity and heart. The Vietnam Vets have embraced the show since the beginning, many of them our biggest fans. We look forward to partnering with Soldier On and also introducing the show to a younger audience. It’s wonderful to be bringing the show back to the stage after the impact of Covid-19 caused the sudden cancellation of our 2020 tour. We are thrilled to again showcase some of the world’s best musicians, alongside a cast of young new talents for audiences to discover.”

Dr Brendan Nelson, the former Director of the Australian War Memorial, is Patron of the 2023 tour. “The show is magnificent. A story of courage, endurance and love. If you see one show this year, this is the one to experience; you will be entertained, inspired, you will cry, but you will definitely want to see it again and again.”

The production features rock songs including classics by Steppenwolf, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Gladys Knight, Billy Thorpe and Paul Simon. The era of the Vietnam War – the world’s first televised war – produced many of the most strident and lyrical songs of the 20^th century: “Fortunate Son”, “All Along The Watchtower”, “The Letter”, “Magic Carpet Ride”, “Help Me Make it Through the Night”, “What’s Going On”, “Born to Be Wild”, “Eve of Destruction”, “Paint it Black”, “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. 

Written by Bryce Hallett Directed by David Berthold

Music Arrangement Chong Lim AM

www.rollingthundervietnam.com

GOLD COAST

The Star Theatre

Saturday 15 April - 2pm & 7.30pm

TOOWOOMBA

Empire Theatre

Tuesday 18 April – 7.30pm

BRISBANE

Concert Hall, QPAC

Friday 21 April – 8.00pm

Saturday 22 April – 2pm & 8.00pm

CALOUNDRA

Events Centre

Saturday 29 April – 2pm & 7.30pm

WOLLONGONG

Wollongong Entertainment Centre

Thursday 4 May – 7.30pm

WESTERN SYDNEY

Sydney Coliseum Theatre

Saturday 6 May – 2pm & 7.30pm

NEWCASTLE

Civic Theatre

Friday 12 May – 7.30pm

Saturday 13 May – 2pm & 7.30pm

PERTH

Perth Concert Hall

Friday 19 May – 7.30pm

Saturday 20 May – 2pm & 7.30pm

ADELAIDE

Her Majesty’s Theatre

Friday 26 May – 7.30pm

Saturday 27 May – 2pm & 7.30pm

SYDNEY

State Theatre

Friday 2 June – 7.30pm

Saturday 3 June – 2pm & 7.30pm

FRANKSTON

Frankston Arts Centre

Thursday 8 June – 7.30pm

MELBOURNE

Palais Theatre

Saturday 10 June – 7.30pm