An Awfully Big Adventure Review

“To die would be an awfully big adventure.” – Peter Pan

An Awfully Big Adventure is set in New Zealand during the struggles of World War I. The story follows two young men, one is a conscientious objector and the other a keen enlister, through their different experiences of war.

The conscientious objector does not want to go to war but eventually agrees to become a stretcher-bearer. The keen enlister is ready to go to another country to fight for his own, but doesn’t know if he can handle it when he gets there.

This play is brought to life by four actors: Andrew Paterson, Adam Brown, Brynley Stent, and Jonathan Price. They use junk as props such as, old shirts for a map of Europe, an old pile of clothes as a hill, or metal bowls as helmets. They spend their time joking around having fun until they are deployed, then suddenly things become more serious.

I found this play to be fun and enjoyable and very educational, but at times heart breaking and depressing. Using shadows against a white backdrop, the actors become like puppets – which only emphasised the seriousness of war.

If you wish to teach your children a little bit of history through drama, then this is a strong performance. It will make them laugh and keep them entertained.

I felt enlightened from this, learnt a lot and found a new found respect for the soldiers (and stretcher-bearers).

You can see An Awfully Big Adventure at Q Theatre 28 March.

Caleb PrinceReviewed by Caleb Prince aged 15, Auckland.

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