By Terence O’Connell (adaptation)
Directed by Paul Treasure
Adapted by Terence O’Connell from Siobhan McHugh’s book, Minefields & Miniskirts is a collection of stories and memories from the women who were affected by the Vietnam War. Nearly a thousand Australian women played a part in the war and the lives of all these women were changed forever by Vietnam. For many of them it was the most vital and alive they had ever felt. The play features many iconic songs of the period written by female singer/songwriters including Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Carole King, Buffy St. Marie and Melanie Safka.
A volunteer, a journalist, a nurse, the wife of a Vietnam vet and an entertainer cross paths at an Anzac Day march during the 1980’s. The women are transported back to the 1960’s and early 1970’s to their youthful experiences in Vietnam into a memory world where rice paddies, paper lanterns and ancient temples team with G.I’s, orphaned children and constant bombardment.
Minefields and Miniskirts is full of surprises. The pain of war is in this play, but you should also come prepared to laugh. No bomb ever killed the Australian sense of humour. These are the voices of those who were actually there: ordinary women revealing how they survived a war and discovered what they believed in.
Cast:
| Susannah Devenish | |
| Kimberley Shaw | |
| Kristen Twynam-Perkins | |
| Penelope Andrews | |
| Zalia Joi |