Sparrows of Kabul
- About the Work
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An extraordinary song cycle on Australia’s 20 involvement in Afghanistan
Synopsis
Fred Smith and band will be presenting this extraordinary song cycle on Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan culminating in the dramatic evacuation from Kabul in August 2021. Fred was there at the beginning in Uruzgan Province and returned at the end working from Kabul International Airport (KIA) on the difficult evacuation. His epitaph for the mission is “it was what it was”, and we are left admiring the courage and tenacity of thousands of Afghans who braved the human cattle yards outside the gates of Kabul International Airport in a last-ditch dash for freedom.
“Fred Smith is an Australian national treasure. Diplomat, philosopher, poet and raconteur his songs reverberate with the prophetic voice of humanity…an extraordinary, wonderful and heart-uplifting concert.”
Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle
“A beautiful retelling of Australia’s Afghanistan experience…a sense of sharing collective grief.”
Adrienne Francis, ABC 666, Saturday Breakfast, 19 February 2022
“This was more than a concert. It was an astute analysis of Australia’s 20-year involvement in the Afghan War from a humanitarian who witnessed the many shades of war first hand.”
Ian McLean, City News
“Finely observed snapshots of a harsh, sad and funny reality…In concert he has a knack for balancing drama and humour…towering artistic achievement”
John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
Short Reviews
John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle
Adrienne Francis, ABC 666, Saturday Breakfast, 19 February 2022
Video
Additional Videos
Technical Information
Lighting
3 spots and a wash
Audio
PA system for three piece band
Staging
If you have a tuned piano we’ll use it.
Very scalable show.
Transport Notes
Can travel by plane. We’ll drive anywhere in Victoria.
Audience & Marketing Notes
Specific groups interested include military communities, music fans, refugee/migrant support groups, veterans groups/RSLs, and ABC Radio listeners.
Fred Smith has a strong following around the country through performances at Festivals, and through those, has developed an extensive e-mail list to publicise performances.
Earlier variations on this show have proved appealing to a very broad audience ranging from folk festivals to gatherings of Vietnam and Afghanistan veterans. Large crowds at Anzac Day ceremonies around the country are testimony to the deep fascination in Australia the experience of Australians at war.
More recently, millions around the country watched on TV and horror and pity us Kabul felt to the Taleban and Australian soldiers and officials laboured to evacuate 4100 people from Kabul International airport. There is great curiosity around these events – people are wanting an explanation.
More broadly, there is also huge curiosity around the country about the experience of young Australians in Afghanistan, and audiences have appreciated the opportunity to get a three-dimensional and human perspective which they feel the media and the government has hitherto somehow deprived them of.
The show also works very well with year 11 and 12 students.
Selling Points
- Human interest
- Current affairs
- First hand account of contempory event with high media profile
- Well known artist
- extraordinary reviews
- Songs and video collatoral
- Radio opportunity
- Military story
- Refugee story
Details
Genre
Audience
Music lovers, history fans,
Venue Format
All venues from theatres to small halls
Duration
110 Minutes
Available Until (from - to)
01/08/2024
Budget & Fees
What are these? Find out more.In Development - work which will be produced and premiered in time for touring during 2022/2023. Please contact the Producer directly for Budgets and Fees.
Weekly Sell Off: $10,000
Per Performance: $3200 if you provide production; $4200 if we provide production
