A few (cough, more than a few) years ago Ian McGrath was working on a production of Oh What A Lovely War Mate, the Australian take on the highly successful Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop production. At the time he wondered about writing something for the Centenary Year commemorating the start of World War One. He wanted to do something from a woman’s point of view as there seemed to be plenty of art forms from the male perspective. Then the really serious earthquakes hit Christchurch, New Zealand. He caught the end of a radio show during which callers were invited to phone in about the impact and heard a woman say, in very pleased tones, that the Ettie Rout Aids Clinic had been flattened. The tone of voice made his ears prick, started him on a journey to find out just who this Ettie Rout was and why she inspired such a passionate response.


The play, Ettie’s Boys, covers highlights from Ettie’s life, concentrating on her pioneering work in the field of sexual hygiene for the troops during World War One.
She was both vilified and praised, there was really very little middle ground. Even today, in New Zealand, people may react strongly to any mention of her. Her drive and dedication, at great personal sacrifice, saved many lives.
Ettie’s Boys has had a few play readings, including one open to the public, and is currently in rehearsal for production in July, the anniversary of the official start of World War One.

Holden Street Theatres are being very generous but, as any theatre producer will know, getting a play on isn’t cheap. Funds raised through Pozible will go towards the production costs and honorariums for the actors involved. Some of them are undertaking seriously long commutes to attend rehearsals, others are giving up paid work. We’d like to be able to offer them something to help defray their costs. The project as a whole is being operated as a Co-operative so if we do make a profit (don’t fall about laughing, it can happen) then they will get a share. 

This is a new play, written by a local playwright. Unfortunately this immediately limits the appeal in the eyes of the general public who, on the whole, seem to prefer to see a comedy.
We don’t really blame them, we often prefer to see something light hearted too, but this woman’s story deserves to be told, so we’re sticking our necks out.