Emotional new museum theatre piece Epitaph explores grief and loss

Performances of Epitaph, a new museum theatre piece capturing the emotional struggle for Australian families at the end of the First World War, have commenced in Anzac Hall at the Australian War Memorial.

The piece was created through collaboration between the Memorial and The Street Theatre, with support from Lockheed Martin Australia. It explores the traumatic task of writing an epitaph for loved ones buried in faraway lands, creating a connection to a place where the memory of a particular individual could be recalled and kept alive.

Epitaph underscores the rich emotional experience of creating an inscription that honours and gives meaning to family lost in war. First performed at the Memorial on 11 October at the official launch of the After the war exhibition, it will be performed regularly in Anzac Hall until the end of June 2019.

Memorial Director Dr Brendan Nelson said the piece is powerful and raw, and will personally engage visitors in the Memorial’s galleries.

“Museum theatre is a powerful way of stimulating us to imagine the world through the eyes of others.

“Epitaphs speak to us of loss and love. It often fell to mothers and wives to sit forlornly at their kitchen tables to write an epitaph for a grave they would never see. Within the 66 characters allowed by authorities, they had to find the words to give meaning to the loss of a much loved son, husband or father,” Dr Nelson said.

“Award-winning writer Ross Mueller was commissioned by The Street to construct a powerful narrative that speaks to the heart of every community, every family, and indeed every person in Australia.

“Activities and programs like Epitaph are vitally important to the work we do. I acknowledge with deep thanks the partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia, whose generous support makes them possible,” Dr Nelson added.   

Actor Kristian Jenkins plays Frank, a returned soldier in Ballarat, Victoria, on Anzac Day in 1930. He narrates the emotional and intellectual challenges of war during a ten-minute monologue that leads to a visit to Maggie, the mother of “Bluey”, who served under Frank during the war, and the framing of an epitaph in fewer than 66 characters, including spaces.

Performance dates:
https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/armistice/epitaph