'The Long Shadow' commemorates 100 years of Anzac

Skin of Our Teeth's Production 'The Long Shadow' has been a wonderful experience.

When Christine Davey commissioned me to write for SOOT’s commemorative ANZAC centenary production, I was delighted. The story of Australia’s war horse, 'Sandy', has intrigued me for several years. Sandy was the only Australian horse to return to Australia from World War One, and my play explores the story of  the people who loved him. This script is a challenge to develop successfully from the page to the stage and I am honoured to have had my work performed by such a fine cast: Jesse Bickerton, Mary Steuten, Stephen Macklin, Ann Maree and John Murphy. My sincere congratulations to Christine, such a talented and sensitive director, for her inspired interpretation.

Christine also wrote her own play 'The Thing With Feathers' for this production. (Far too much talent in one person!) It is a poignant, lyrical story based on the experiences of her great, great aunt in Western Queensland whose sixteen year old son George went missing for 12 months on the Western Front, before his family were eventually advised he had been killed. Such a sad story and such wonderful performances by Meryl Friend and Tara Vagg.

The production had 5 performances at the beautiful Shenton Theatre in Geelong during the week of Anzac Day, and audiences appreciated both plays so much that SOOT is planning to re-stage this production in Melbourne, so watch this space for further news...