21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke
Schedule
Thu Jun 19 2025 at 11:00 am to 12:55 pm
UTC+08:00Location
Como Theatre, 16 Preston Street Como | Perth, WA
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Return Season: By Popular Demand!
A compelling true story of the celebration of women’s strength, love and hope in the face of adversity.
Vivian Bullwinkel was one of 65 Australian nurses who boarded the Vyner Brooke in an attempt to flee the Japanese invasion of Singapore in February, 1942. Bombed by Japanese fighter planes and after spending days at sea, she and some other survivors found their way to Radji Beach on Banka Island where they surrendered. In one of the most atrocious acts of war crimes in our history, 22 nurses were forced to march into the sea where they were callously machine gunned. The only survivor and witness, Vivian spent the rest of the war in a prison camp before liberation, and her remaining years fighting for recognition of the bravery of her friends and colleagues; their strength and courage in the face of death sustaining her for the rest of her illustrious life.
21 Hearts relays the resilient Aussie humour displayed by the women in the camp and provides a respectful and authentic voice to those who were silenced, remembering them for who they were and not just for what happened to them.
A story of hope, courage, resilience and heart.
Featuring 6 of WA’s most outstanding actors, 21 HEARTS is a celebration of the human spirit and an uplifting, inspiring story which reminds us of the great futility of war.
Written by Jenny Davis OAM
Directed by Stuart Halusz
Featuring Caitlin Beresford-Ord, Rebecca Davis, Michelle Fornasier, Alex Jones, Helen Searle and Alison van Reeken
Sound Design & Programmer: Ben Collins
Visual Designer: Gneiss Design
Lighting Designer: Rowan van Blomestein
Costume Designer: Ingrid Zurzolo
Costume Consultant: Neil Sheriff
Theme Song Composer: Craig Skelton
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Where is it happening?
Como Theatre, 16 Preston Street Como, 16 Preston St, Como WA 6152, Australia,Perth, Western AustraliaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
