To celebrate the centenary of the ANZACs country singer Lee Kernigan has put together an epic show ‘Spirit of the ANZAC’ that is set to travel around the country and pay tribute to the ANZAC soldiers and those who followed after them.
The CD related to the project has shot to number one and later this year a massive show will arrive in Perth. We chatted to Lisa McCune who has signed up for a role in the epic project.
“The story begins, Jack Thompson narrates, and takes through World War I and the 20th Century and into the 21st century and it’s a journey through music and song…” McCune explains, “It’s a piece that is theatre, it is music and song and it’s combined with the spirit of the ANZAC.”
“It’s a big show about culture, our country and our heritage.” McCune said. McCune shared that ANZAC Day wasn’t a big part of her life growing up, but has become something she shares with her own family.
“It was really funny, I guess Mum and Dad didn’t want to talk too much about the war when I was growing up. I don’t remember it being talked a lot in the house. Now that my kids are growing up, we go to the dawn service every couple of years and have breakfast at the RSL and it’s a really great awesome sense of community spirit.” McCune said.
The actress notes that in recent years Australians appear to have embraced ANZAC Day and recognized its importance.
“There seems to have been a huge following, especially in recent years, of keeping that part of history alive, showing respect for those who have gone and respect for those who are alive.”
McCune is also excited about getting to work alongside screen legend Jack Thompson who serves as the narrator of the story.
“You couldn’t really find anyone to tell this story better really, he’s the man with the book who begins the story and takes everyone through it.”
McCune said she was attracted to taking part in this show because she’s read a lot about different wars over the years.
“Over the years I’ve done a lot of reading especially about Vietnam, I’ve read books filled with people’s letters about and their stories and I’m particularly interested in the female side of the experience of war as well.”
McCune has a busy schedule for the year ahead, she’ll be reuniting with Teddy Tahu-Rhodes and joining up with David Hobson for a series of concerts of Broadway songs, and a new TV project is on the horizon too.
“I’m tinkering a lot with music again this year!”, McCune declares. “One of the things I love about ‘Spirit of the ANZACS’ is it’s almost a like a home-grown musical.”
Lisa McCune will return home to Perth for ‘Spirit of the ANZACS’ on September 18th, head to www.spiritoftheanzacs.com for all the details.
