EACH town and city will mark the centenary of the Gallipoli landings in their own special way and Tamworth is commemorating with music.
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Bill Gleeson wrote Let’s Never Forget, which features 11 members in the cast and a choir of about 60 made up of Tamworth Choral Society, Tamworth Singers and Sing Australia Tamworth.
Tamworthians have snapped up tickets to the free, reserve-seated show, which will mean a full house at the War Memorial Town Hall.
Composer and musician Mr Gleeson said the show was a “bit emotional at times”, but also a “bit of fun”.
This could be the last hurrah for Mr Gleeson, who said it was time to hang up the pen.
Mr Gleeson said the show had come together easily and ran for about 90 minutes, including an interval.
The show tells bits of both sides of the conflict because all the Turkish people the Tamworthian characters meet have had family members killed by Australians.
This is not about glorifying war, but paying contemporary tribute to those who served and still serve.
“It’s a look at why we go to war and a contemporary view of war,” Mr Gleeson said.
The musical tells the story of young Tamworth people going to Gallipoli and not knowing a lot about the war. They are guided by a former Tamworth soldier.
Meeting them in Gallipoli is the ghost of Erin Cleary, who enlisted in World War I from Tamworth and returned after the war.
“He was a brilliant musician in Tamworth and did cruise ships and all that,” Mr Gleeson said.
“We introduce him and, even though he’s been dead for 50 years, he introduces the young people to Gallipoli.
“He is overseeing the whole thing. He talks about the futility of war and his presence just brings an extra Tamworth dimension to it.”
Jason Palmer is directing the show, with Tamworth RSL Sub-branch vice-president Sandra Lambkin in the producer’s chair.
“He’s done shows for the Tamworth Musical Society and all the cast get along,” Mr Gleeson said.
“It’s all a delight, but the highlight is probably the last song, Let’s Never Forget.
“The big finale with all those voices singing ... it’s pretty emotional stuff.”
Let’s Never Forget takes to the stage at Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall tonight at 6 o’ clock.
