Suitable for amateur to fully professional companies

Running time: 2 hours approx. Plus interval
4m, 3w leads and 24+ ensemble with 5 children
Orchestra: 17
(12 minimum or CD backing track available)

Synopsis

Sarah and Duncan McKenzie arrive in the ‘new country’ as Jackie O’Fea brings news of gold discoveries. Leaving his family for the diggings, Duncan seizes his chance for freedom from the slavery of the 19th century working class life but his dreams are dashed as tragedy strikes. Duncan’s close friend Nathan Hall is drowned in a massive flood and Jackie O’Fea, a trusted friend, shows his true colours. The widow Millie Hall is assaulted by O’Fea and with the threat of harm to her baby she is powerless.

With danger at every turn, luck proves to be no friend to Duncan McKenzie. Dan Nolan is murdered by O’Fea’s henchmen after a card game. Wrongfully accused Duncan faces the gallows. It is only now he sees that no amount of gold could replace the love of his family. After a macabre trial and Sarah’s desperate plea for clemency Duncan is hanged.

Sarah visits the camp for answers and finds that rough justice can be as swift and ferocious as the mighty swollen Arrow river.

-David John - Book and Lyrics
Born in Liverpool, England, and trained as an artist at the Liverpool College of Art. David has lived in South Africa, Canada, Ireland, the Canary Islands and Australia painting and writing short stories.

Settling in Arrowtown in 1979, he began to establish his reputation not only as an artist and writer, but also as a playwright and actor. He has written and directed three plays and a musical for community theatre and has gained theatre experience with drama groups and theatre-sport.

--Kevin Lynch - Composer
Kevin was born in Dunedin with music being a big part of his life. He was musical arranger for original Telethons in Dunedin and also a prolific jingle writer and producer. Kevin is an accomplished composer and was a finalist in two major TVNZ original song writing programmes.

Moving to Arrowtown in 1985 with his family, Kevin met up with Arrowtown artist David John and a song writing partnership was born.