This one-night-only rehearsed reading is the world premiere of ‘First Night (of the One Day of the Year)’ by Brisbane playwright, Stephen Vagg (‘All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane’). 

Before Alan Seymour’s celebrated 1960 stage play ‘The One Day of the Year’ became one of Australia’s most successful plays, the writer received death threats from impassioned opposition to his post-war take on Anzac Day. But one brave amateur theatre troupe stood up to the cultural cringe, censorship, and bomb threats, to mount Australia’s first production. It must have been some opening night party! 

Brisbane playwright Stephen Vagg (All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane, Jucy, All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane) takes us backstage on that first night in 1960, behind the scenes of the banning, the bombs, and the bouquets, as Ad Astra’s new creative Cosmos space stages a rehearsed (moved) reading – including the cast romances thriving among the ASIO spies, the censors and the snide bureaucrats. 

Meet the writer and cast of creatives in a post-show Q&A. Don’t miss out! Seats are limited – book now.
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