Acclaimed one-man show NEWK (The John Newcombe Story) serves up humour, nostalgia and heart for one night only at the Griffith Regional Theatre on Wednesday 4 November.
Written by award-winning playwright Kieran Carroll, directed by Ross Daniels and performed by acclaimed Melbourne actor Paul Armstrong, NEWK has been a hit across NSW and Victoria since 2019. It traces the life of John Newcombe, the champion who dominated world tennis in the 1960s and 70s.
The play is set at Newk’s 80th birthday celebrations in Sydney in 2024. A string of well-known guests drop by to share memories, taking the audience from his days as a naïve schoolboy to world No. 1, then to his years as Davis Cup Captain and the stroke he suffered in 2003.
Blending drama and comedy, it portrays a driven, ambitious man racing through a rapidly changing world. He is conscious of providing for his family while aware that they often came second, and the play shows the punishing schedules even players of yesteryear endured. Off-court politics were also volatile as the game moved into full-blown professionalism.
There is plenty of laughter along the way. Audiences will relive Newcombe’s famous commercials and business ventures, including Cinzano, bananas, Canon cameras and K-Tel tennis instruction albums.
At its heart, NEWK is a celebration of a life lived large, and of a zest for adventure that never fades but must learn to be tempered. Whether you’re a tennis tragic or simply love a great Australian story, this fast-paced, uplifting evening is a winner.
So, grab your friends, get your Cinzano and enjoy the play.
NEWK (The John Newcombe Story) will perform in the Burley Griffin Room at the Griffith Regional Theatre on Wednesday 4 November at 7.30pm. Theatre Members are encouraged to take advantage of a special members offer, bring a friend for free, that is only $40 for two tickets. Tickets are available through the Theatre Box Office by calling 6962 8444 or visiting www.griffithregionaltheatre.com.au
