Editor:
I’d like to thank the cast and crew of the production Next of Kin: Descendants of War, who contributed their time and life force to bring to life this hybrid show that celebrated Remembrance Day and the legacy – from many angles – of war. The show was put together around a new book called Tweets from the Trenches, by Jacqueline Carmichael, her quest to remember her grandfather, who participated in the First World War. Act II was a compilation of true, local stories of Sunshine Coast men and women who were touched by the war, plus two stories of my mother, who lost her first husband in a conflict in January 1945.
The show diverged from the usual wreaths and bagpipes around the cenotaph, giving new meaning to the conflict as it brought together the voices of many diverse characters of participants of war in many varied roles. A special thanks to Carmichael, whose anecdotal book is so varied and compelling it could be made into a completely different show (using different excerpts than I used) and would still be a favourite textbook or script in high schools for a fascinating lesson on World War I that lingers, long after the day is done.
Thanks also to the enthusiastic audience, volunteers and Gibsons Coffee, Tea and Herbs as well as the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre.
Caitlin Hicks, Roberts Creek
