Victoria University of Wellington’s THEA301 Class presents
Black November 1918
On the 100 year anniversary of the 1918 influenza pandemic that plagued New Zealand, THEA 301 and director Kerryn Palmer
present: Black November 1918. Following the end of World War One and in the wake of celebrating our soldiers return - New Zealand was confronted
with the most lethal disease outbreak we have ever seen, an estimated 9000 New Zealanders died in two months.
“Flicking through old family photos, I found a haunting photo of my Grandfather and his 8 siblings. Their parents had
died within two days of each other at the height of the 1918 influenza pandemic. The more I began talking and reading
about what had happened to my family, the more I realised that many people didn’t even know that New Zealand had
experienced such a catastrophic event. An event that brought the country to its knees.” - Director Kerryn Palmer
Black November 1918 has been influenced by family stories, verbatim accounts, the 2013 STAB production Pandemic at BATS
Theatre, and detailed research by the company. The promenade-style devised performance delves into the homes and lives
of ordinary Wellingtonians affected by the flu. It confronts the audience with the potential impact a modern day flu
pandemic would have on 2018 New Zealand.
“Most of the soldiers died lonely deaths on foreign battlefields, but the flu was fought here at home, in every town and
in at least half of all households. This was a crucible of shared experience for a young nation. It should not be
forgotten, in case something similar ever happens again.” - Dr. Geoffrey Rice. Black November - The 1918 Influenza Pandemic In New Zealand
The season of Black November 1918 will run from the 9th to the 17th of October at 7.30pm with no show on Sunday at Victoria University of Wellington’s
Studio 77. Audiences will meet at the box office at 83 Fairlie Tce and move through multiple spaces. Please advise if
you need wheelchair access.
Interested parties can learn more about the show by visiting pandemic1918.co.nz
Tickets (Waged $16 | Unwaged $8) are available through eventfinda.co.nz