Alan Seymour: The One Day of the Year
Although virtually unknown in the UK, The One Day of the Year is considered iconic down under. It won playwright Alan Seymour an amateur playwriting competition and remains the most famous of his works. With its bold questioning of traditional values the show caused controversy when first staged in Australia in 1960.
One Day of the Year play summary
The play explores the true meaning of ANZAC day, the Australian equivalent of Remembrance Sunday, as seen through the eyes of two generations from the same family.
War Veteran Alf sees it as a time to commemorate the sacrifice of his comrades; Alf’s son Hughie thinks it’s a nationalistic celebration which is just a good excuse to go out drinking with mates. Hughie embarks on a photography project to uncover the excessed of celebration, snapping drunk veterans lying in the gutter.
Finbrough Theatre revives a classic play
While the show is performed regularly in Australia, this production will be the first time The One Day of the Year has been staged in the UK for over 50 years. Programmed to mark the 100th anniversary of the Gallipolli campaign as part of the Finborough’s The Great War 100 series, the show offers an Australian perspective on the tumultuous events of the early 20th Century. And with Defibrillator Theatre Company ( at the helm we are expecting a bold and lucid production. Their last production at the Finborough, Hard Feelings (2013) was a sellout success.
Although virtually unknown in the UK, The One Day of the Year is considered iconic down under. It won playwright Alan Seymour an amateur playwriting competition and remains the most famous of his works. With its bold questioning of traditional values the show caused controversy when first staged in Australia in 1960.
One Day of the Year play summary
The play explores the true meaning of ANZAC day, the Australian equivalent of Remembrance Sunday, as seen through the eyes of two generations from the same family.
War Veteran Alf sees it as a time to commemorate the sacrifice of his comrades; Alf’s son Hughie thinks it’s a nationalistic celebration which is just a good excuse to go out drinking with mates. Hughie embarks on a photography project to uncover the excessed of celebration, snapping drunk veterans lying in the gutter.
Finbrough Theatre revives a classic play
While the show is performed regularly in Australia, this production will be the first time The One Day of the Year has been staged in the UK for over 50 years. Programmed to mark the 100th anniversary of the Gallipolli campaign as part of the Finborough’s The Great War 100 series, the show offers an Australian perspective on the tumultuous events of the early 20th Century. And with Defibrillator Theatre Company ( at the helm we are expecting a bold and lucid production. Their last production at the Finborough, Hard Feelings (2013) was a sellout success.
| What | The One Day of the Year, Finborough Theatre |
| Where | Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London, SW10 9ED | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Earl's Court (underground) |
| When |
19 May 15 – 13 Jun 15, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Price | £14 - £20 |
| Website | Click here to book via the Finborough Theatre website |
