21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke
Written by Jenny Davis
A compelling true story of the celebration of women’s strength, love and hope in the face of adversity.
Written by Jenny Davis. Directed by Stuart Halusz. Featuring Caitlin Beresford-Ord, Rebecca Davis, Michelle Fornasier, Alex Jones, Helen Searle and Alison van Reeken.
Vivian Bullwinkel was one of 65 Australian nurses who boarded the Vyner Brooke in an attempt to flee the Japanese invasion of Singapore in February, 1942. Bombed by Japanese fighter planes and after spending days at sea, she and some other survivors found their way to Radji Beach on Banka Island where they surrendered. In one of the most atrocious acts of war crimes in our history, 22 nurses were forced to march into the sea where they were callously machine gunned. The only survivor and witness, Vivian spent the rest of the war in a prison camp before liberation, and her remaining years fighting for recognition of the bravery of her friends and colleagues; their strength and courage in the face of death sustaining her for the rest of her illustrious life.
21 Hearts relays the resilient Aussie humour displayed by the women in the camp and provides a respectful and authentic voice to those who were silenced, remembering them for who they were and not just for what happened to them.
A story of hope, courage, resilience and heart.
Featuring 6 of WA’s most outstanding actors, 21 HEARTS is a celebration of the human spirit and an uplifting, inspiring story which reminds us of the great futility of war.
LOCATION:
Como Theatre, 16 Preston Street, Como, Western Australia
2025 SEASON DATES:
Thursday 19th June | 11am & 7pm
Friday 20th June | 11am & 7pm
Saturday 21st June | 2pm & 7pm
Sunday 22nd June | 5pm
*Our 2024 seasons sold-out so make sure to get in quick for this return season in June!
Important information
- Foyer doors open one hour prior to the performance, with theatre doors opening 30 minutes prior to the performance.
- Seating is unreserved on a first come first served basis unless accessibility requirements are advised.
- Group bookings of 10+ receive reserved seats.
- The performance duration is 115min minutes with no interval.
- This event is wheelchair accessible. If you have any questions about access, please get in touch via info@theatre180.com.au
- The performance is recommended for ages 12 years and older.
- Content warning Explosions, war scenes
21 Hearts Image: Stewart Thorpe Photography
Leading WA publishing company Fremantle Press has commissioned our playwright Jenny Davis OAM to write a novel for Young Adult Readers, based on the script of 21 Hearts. Courage By My Friend is available in all good book stores and online: https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/courage-be-my-friend/
“The nation has recently honoured Vivian Bullwinkel by erecting a statue of her at the Australian War Memorial, and now THEATRE 180 is similarly honouring her life and legacy in this new play and book. The courage, perseverance, selflessness and sisterhood displayed by Vivian and all of the nurses involved in this truly amazing, emotional story should be long remembered. I do wish Jenny Davis all the very best in bringing this story to younger readers. It is a particularly sensitive tale of women involved in an appalling, brutal war, but it is also one of their indomitable spirit when they had to endure more than three years of starvation, illness, disease and the declining health and even death of their nursing colleagues under the callous watch of an uncaring enemy”. Colin Burgess, author of ‘Sisters in Captivity’, published in 2023 by Simon and Schuster.
“
I have the greatest respect for the actresses. It was such a fantastic stage production., lighting and effects. It was immersive. Recommend anybody in Perth for their encore season in Oct/Nov to see it. It would be a wonderful lead into Remembrance Day. Their story deserves to be told, always remembered.
- Group Captain Kath Stein, Director Defence Force Nursing
What an incredible show…brought me to tears while bringing to life an important story that needs to be shared.
- Tania Hudson, CEO Chamber of Arts and Culture
Incredible show with brilliant direction, stunning writing and uniformly extraordinary performances!! Cannot stop thinking about it. Congratulations.
- Rosalind Hammond
Another stunning performance by THEATRE 180. The girls were amazing and the backdrop, settings and sound effects were perfect to set the stage for the production. I always learn a lot from their historical productions. Well done again THEATRE 180.
- Ruth Lauk
So moving – a compelling story told so creatively and with great care. Congratulations.
- Sonia FN
It was a wonderful production, full of heart, humour and guts! Congratulations to THEATRE 180!
- Anthea Hodgson
Loved it! Highly recommended.
- Hazel Martin
A compelling true story of sisterhood, courage and strength in the face of adversity. THEATRE 180 have done it again. Brilliantly bringing to the stage an Australian story that needs telling.
- Beverley Station Arts
A truly moving and, at the same time, wonderful theatrical experience. We, the audiences now and in the future, owe you an enormous debt by revealing yet another chapter of our heritage story for us to cherish. Simply, "Thank You".
- Tony Howes
A wonderful story of brave women…the play was superb, so very, very well done by all the actors, the visual effects, lighting and sound. A great evening in a wonderful theatre. Loved it.
- Joan Ann Murphy
Such a brilliant production – congratulations to you all. Wonderful to see a cast of 6 marvellous actors bringing to life Jenny’s exceptional script. Such a deeply moving audience experience. Thanks to one and all.
- Robyn Torney
Truly amazing! An important story that was told with great sensitivity by an extremely talented group of people.
- Recollections of War Museum
A must see! Loved everything about it, actors, set, costumes, story, cinematography. Very moving and evoked pride and tears.
- Josie Abernethy
Thank you all for the emotional & extremely well-acted play. The four of us were riveted to our seats and enjoyed every minute as did everyone around us. Thanks to you all and Vivian Bullwinkel, this harrowing and important episode of history will be remembered.
- Christine Lane
What an awesome performance yesterday, with amazing professionalism and real concern shown by the cast and crew when the show was interrupted by a medical emergency. Congratulations to all concerned, highly recommend this show and all the others they perform.
- Janet Pages-Oliver
What an amazing performance! Such a talented group of actors, I felt many emotions through this very well written story. Clever set and amazing Director. Thank you to everyone for bringing this story to life.
- Anick Fraser
Absolutely outstanding show! Engaging, emotional, and felt transported along the journey right from the start. An incredibly talented cast of six, who wove the engaging and heart wrenching stories of so many! A beautifully created piece that will stay with me!
- Laura Pudding
What an incredible show. Amazingly performed by all the cast and not a dry eye in the packed theatre. The Q&A after the show was the icing on the cake, giving the audience such a wonderful insight of the research and emotion that goes into such a production. Congratulations and well done.
- Helen Gray
An outstanding cast and such a powerful and emotive story. Absolutely brilliant.
- Jules Moss
Truly amazing how you told such a shocking story in such a beautiful and caring way. The actors would all receive awards if it were up to me. I came away from the show a little stunned and quite overwhelmed. Congratulations to you all.
- Kevin Morley
21 Hearts was even more amazing than we expected and so very, very emotional to watch and hear. You are all to be congratulated on such a superb performance. Well done, can’t stop thinking about it.
- Sue Haddleton
5 stars! A faultless performance that truly portrayed such a significant story in Australia’s history. The actresses were brilliant and so emotive...Tears were certainly shed, hearts pounded and minds where whirling from the full house audience. The tears from the actresses showed their dedication and honest portrayal. Their singing worthy of a golden buzzer. THEATRE 180 staff and Jenny Davis are real assets to our terrific state. Thank you so much everyone.
- Julie Gibbings
Our trip from Ballarat to see 21 Hearts was worth every minute and every cent. A remarkable and powerful piece of theatre, so brilliantly crafted and delivered. Congratulations to all.
- Marion Snowden
Wow! What an incredible show… I wept the whole way through… told so very, very beautifully … I also closed my eyes when the choir sang and imagined myself there…THEATRE 180 absolutely holds true to its catch cry- great stories AMAZINGLY well told.
- Zalia Joi
An exceptionally memorable performance. I was totally captivated by the story, the lives of the characters and their relationship with each other. The barbaric event that took place on Radji beach on 16th February 1942 was portrayed with dignity and respect and took my breath away. Thank you. We will remember them.
- Carol Rowe
Brilliant! Congratulations to cast and crew! This is one not to be missed!
- Jenelle Morgan
My friends and I were moved to tears by the performance. We couldn't imagine how complex it was to do justice to such a powerful story, yet you delivered it with exceptional grace and tenacity.
- Eva Chye
The Team
Writer
Jenny Davis OAM
Director
Stuart Halusz
Cast
Caitlin Beresford-Ord
Rebecca Davis
Michelle Fornasier
Alex Jones
Helen Searle
Alison van Reeken
Sound Design & Programmer
Ben Collins
Visual Designer
Gneiss Design
Lighting Designer
Rowan van Blomestein
Costume Designer
Ingrid Zurzolo
Costume Consultant
Neil Sheriff
Movement Director
Rachael Bott
Theme Song Composer and Musical Director
Craig Skelton
Theme Song Vocalists
Lisa Harper-Brown
Saskia Haluszkiewicz
Theme Song Musicians
Australian Baroque
Stage Manager
Craig Williams
Assistant Stage Manager
Aaron Stirk
Associate Producer
Alison Welburn
Marketing Manager & Publicity
Limelight Consulting
Photographer
Stewart Thorpe
Hair & Makeup Stylist
KT Crocker
Additional Information & Acknowledgements
Thank You To:
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As an independent, not-for-profit theatre company, we welcome any form of support. Donations of $2.00 or more are tax-deductible.
The THEATRE 180 Public Fund (ABN: 33 042 434 145) is a tax deductible fund listed on the Australian Government’s Register of Cultural Organisations maintained under Subdivision 30-F of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
ALL DONATIONS ARE MAINTAINED IN A SPECIAL PUBLIC FUND ADMINISTRATED BY THEATRE 180 AND THESE FUNDS WILL ONLY BE USED FOR THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THE ORGANISATION.
THEATRE 180 Public Fund
Robin Tunnicliffe FCPA CPM, Jenny Davis OAM, Stuart Halusz
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