NEWK - The John Newcombe Story

Grab a Cinzano and enjoy this rollicking ride about the life of one of Australia’s greatest sportsmen!

Written by Kieran Carroll

Performed by Paul Armstrong

Directed by Ross Daniels

NEWK - The John Newcombe Story is a grand story about wanting life to be a huge ride, where rest is secondary and finally how that zest and appetite for life never disappears but needs to be tempered. So, grab a Cinzano and enjoy this rollicking ride about the life of one of Australia’s greatest sportsmen.

Written by award-winning Australian playwright Kieran Carroll and performed by acclaimed Melbourne actor, Paul Armstrong, NEWK traces the life of the great Australian tennis champion of the 1960s and 70s, John Newcombe. NEWK has been a big hit all over NSW and Victoria since 2019.

Set in 2024 at Newk’s 80th birthday in Sydney, Newcombe’s journey travels from naïve 1960s schoolboy, to the No 1 player in the world in the 1970s, to his time as Davis Cup Captain, to the stroke he suffered in 2003.

Numerous well-known guests drop by to celebrate his special day and share the memories. Both drama and comedy, the play portrays a highly determined and ambitious man burning through a quickly changing world. Aware he’s putting his family second emotionally while conscious of providing for them financially, the play exposes the exhausting schedules that even players of yesteryear endured. Volatile off-court politics are also rife as the game moves into full blown professionalism.

The play also captures hilarious moments from some of Newcombe’s numerous commercials and business enterprises: Cinzano, bananas, Canon cameras and K-Tel tennis instruction albums!

TICKETS

General Admission $44 + b/fee

Lake Mac Arts Member $40 + b/fee

Membership cards need to be presented at event entry. Not a member? Find out more here: Lake Mac Arts membership - Lake Macquarie Arts

Tickets available at the door subject to availability.

Please note there is no need to print your tickets off for this event, the staff can provide electronic check

RUNNING TIME

Approximately 80 minutes with no interval

VENUE INFORMATION

SEATING

All seating is general admission.

PARKING

The carpark at the rear of the theatre can be accessed via the John Street entrance, with limited on street parking available.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Warners Bay Theatre can be accessed via a ramp on Lake St and flat entry once inside the building. The venue has LH and RH accessible toilets. There are two accessible parking spots are in the car park behind the theatre via the John Street entry.

Warners Bay Theatre honours companion cards.

HEARING LOOP

Set hearing loop to T (Telecoil) - coverage between stage and tiered seating.

DRINKS AND SNACKS

There will be a bar open with wine, beer and snacks available to purchase using EFTPOS only.

Learn more about Lake Mac: Visit Lake Macquarie | Love the Lake

This event may be photographed and filmed and your image could be used in advertising and promotion by Lake Macquarie City Council. Should you wish to not be photographed or filmed please advise event organisers on entry at the event.

This performance is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.