A nurse’s war story
Tell You This for Nothing — My Mother the War Hero is a play written and acted by Kate JasonSmith celebrating her mother’s life.
Irish Phyllis JasonSmith, who lived most of her life in Pukerua Bay and Paraparaumu, was awarded France’s highest accolade for exceptional courage — the Legion d’Honneur — at the age of 88.
A nurse with the Queen Alexandra Nursing Corps, Phyllis was sent to the front line in France on D-Day.
During the next months her hospital followed the war through Europe where she found the love of her life.
After the war she and her husband emigrated to New Zealand and settled in Pukerua Bay.
Phyllis’s World War II tale of war, courage, romance and danger is brought to life in an acclaimed 70-minute solo performance written and acted by Kate.
I’ll Tell You This for Nothing — My Mother the War Hero is on at St Peter’s Hall in Paeka¯ ka¯ riki on Friday, December 7 at 7.30pm and Sunday December 9 at 4.30pm.
Kate grew up in Pukerua Bay before an extensive career in the performing arts took her away from the Bay.
Her skills have encompassed acting, directing, writing and set design all around the world — though she may be best known in New Zealand as the creator and producer of the women’s comedy company Hens’ Teeth.
Paeka¯ ka¯ riki artist Jan Bolwell, an acclaimed solo performer herself (Bill Massey’s Tourists, Standing on My Hands, Here’s Hilda), has directed this highly praised play.
“I’ll Tell You This for Nothing has so many things going for it, it’s hard for a reviewer to know where to start,” Theatreview reviewer Tim Stevenson said.
“First up, it’s a tremendous story. “A balance between personal experience and the larger historical events through which Phyllis moves.
“Versatile, skilled and charismatic, Kate JasonSmith’s performance is a mighty achievement in its own right.”
Bookings for the show can be made through eventfinda.co.nz with door sales also available.