http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/community/competitions/DARREN Coggan tells a family story that is both poignant and humorous in War Stories.
Darren, 39, said his show was a "salute to the Anzac spirit" which, through trying times, shone through.
"As a young boy, I was fascinated in hearing stories about the war, especially through my grandfather, who fought in the army in Bouganville," Darren said.
" I used to quiz him about it, but he rarely spoke about it until just before he died.
"When he did talk about it, I couldn't believe that a boy of 16 could have these experiences. His experience inspired me to write a song for him."
Darren said that although he never knew him, there was also a connection to his great-grandfather, who fought in World War I.
He said the family still had the diary which his great-grandfather kept during this time.
"They were just kids themselves. This is an account of what's going on with drawings of guns and stuff almost like a child's diary."
In the show, Darren combines narration with song, designed to paint a picture of the war through small stories. While many of the songs are original, one popular moment in the show is a medley of sing-a-long war tunes.
"Everyone has stories about their involvement in the war. There are thousands.
"This show personalises the people who were there. This includes the women and how they kept things going on the home front.
"These men fought in hideous conditions that we can't imagine and they kept that larrikin during the poignant times.
"War is a dark topic and there are lots of sombre moments tbut there are light hearted moments too. Some funny stories come out of dark times."
Darren said he was encouraged that more young people took an interest in attending Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
He said he timed his show around both these events, the one at Cleveland marking Remembrance Day.
War Stories is co-written by Ken McBeth.
War Stories will be staged at Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland at 2pm on Sunday, October 28. Tickets are $36/$26. To book, phone 3829 8131, or visit
www.rpac.com.auWIN TICKETS: We have one double pass to War Stories, valued at $72, plus a Darren Coggan War Stories CD and program to give away.
To be in the draw, enter you details below. Terms and conditions apply. Entries close October 21.
Australian Competitions Club
