They left as boys and came back old before their time, but did the society they were fighting for care? The war had barely touched NZ, the Americans were smooth and slick - and were taking advantage of the kiwi girls. Of the 5000 men on furlough only 800 went back and 700 were court martialeld.
This is the story of the men who decided they had had enough of the war. They were branded cowards, had their letters censored by the press and refused work. Worst of all, they had to bear the scars of war in silence.
From the reviews
"Bravo to Allen O’Leary for telling a bitter truth about wartime New Zealand, and doing so with such insight and compassion." - Sunday Star Times
"Fond Love and Kisses is a multi-faceted drama that comprehensively takes its central characters through confrontation, crisis and catharsis... a consummate work of theatre art that demands you ask questions of it. And the more you think the answers through, the more it rewards you.... Anyone who has grown up in New Zealand will have someone in the family or a neighbour, teacher or colleague who was directly affected by what the play covers. Both times I saw it, the audience was riveted, appreciative and still engaged beyond its short two-hour running time." - National Business Review
"Full credit must go to O’Leary for his well researched play, which encompasses divergent locations of ‘war is hell’ on the front lines and the diffi cult domestic environment which the soldiers encountered... Absorbing and honest throughout, this was a play of soaring emotions." - Capital Times
Production and Script History
Extracts performed NZ Drama School 2005.
Produced Downstage Theatre 2003; Murray Lynch director, Philippa Campbell Dramaturg.
Downstage workshop; 2001
Public reading at Playbox Theatre (now the Malthouse), Melbourne; 1998. Directed by Peter Evans.
PlaymarketNZ supported workshop; 1999
Fond Love and Kisses received development support from:
PlaymarketNZ for a workshop and some money towards my travel.
They left as boys and came back old before their time, but did the society they were fighting for care? The war had barely touched NZ, the Americans were smooth and slick - and were taking advantage of the kiwi girls. Of the 5000 men on furlough only 800 went back and 700 were court martialeld.
This is the story of the men who decided they had had enough of the war. They were branded cowards, had their letters censored by the press and refused work. Worst of all, they had to bear the scars of war in silence.