By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on September 28, 2018
CENTENARY commemorations for the end of World War I will extend into the theatre this November with Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company’s production It’s Been a Long, Long Time.
Director Susie McIntosh said the musical tribute review will showcase the songs that “boosted morale” during the first and second world wars, as well as bookend a previous production the company produced.
ALOTCo performed Sing As We Go in 2015 as part of the initial centenary commemorations in memory of the Anzacs, and McIntosh said It’s Been a Long, Long Time had been in the pipeline since then.
“We always spoke about a follow-up production,” she said.
“But it has evolved since we first started talking about it.”
It’s Been a Long, Long Time will feature songs, visual presentations, poetry, dance and audience participation to celebrate the end of war time, but also reflect on the circumstances people found themselves in once guns were laid down.
Artistic director Findlay MacNish reflected on how it wasn’t all smiles come Armistice Day.
“After the initial ‘hooray, the war is over’, people realised that things weren’t fantastic,” he said.
“The end of the war didn’t mean the end of pain.
“Everyone still needed jollity to keep them going, so this show is about the music that boosted morale in that time.”
McIntosh said the production had been specifically worked on for the past five to six months and has included the efforts of a cast of 30 people, ranging from ages 16 to 91.
“This is our third week of rehearsals,” he said.
“We are rehearsing songs at the moment and it’s sounding really lovely.”
Other than rehearsals, the cast and crew are busy organising country flags and poppies, of which a sea of them will be strewn across the theatre.
And of course, making sure there will be enough tea and Anzac biscuits to go around.
It’s Been A Long, Long Time will play on November 3, 4, 9and 10and tickets are available now from Paperbark Merchants.
