The Silver Tunnel Free Performances

Rebecca Varidel
16th Dec 2021

"A play set in a graveyard performed in a church? Fabulous!" exclaims legendary hero of the homeless, Rev. Bill Crews.

"The church becomes part of the set!  Like all our endeavours, this inspiring touring production is primarily aimed at raising awareness and funds for the poor and disadvantaged we protect – as well as to introduce our services to new areas."

The surprise theatre hit of 2020 is set to tour 12 NSW suburban and regional centres in early 2022 with more free performances.

The rollicking one-act thriller debuted in Covid-controlled conditions last year when lockdown saw Rev, Bill turn his inner west Sydney church into a theatre! Sydney Scoop was there and confirms this is a 5 star play that keeps you entertained and enthralled, carrying its inspiring message of choosing life. 

The Silver Tunnel is a play for everyone!

Starring Ric Herbert and Tim Matthews the darkly comic play returns to Ashfield in January. before touring from February to April 2022 – where it will be performed free – in churches, just like its original version – right across NSW. It visits Manly, Liverpool, Windsor, Katoomba, Wollongong, Berry, St Georges Basin, Adamstown, Bathurst, Parkes & Dubbo.  

Sydney’s oldest graveyard: seven tombstones... all suicides from the time of the First Fleet. Old Harry is their ‘keeper’. He’s tendered their graves for 34 years. He talks to them. They talk back. Now, he’s digging an eighth grave… who is it for? Jason the suicidal apprentice gravedigger arrives - because the voices have called him in. Harry can’t hear them anymore. Why not? And who will end up in the eighth grave?

Penned by veteran stage and screen actor, writer and filmmaker Warwick Moss, this darkly comic thriller is a play about suicide that celebrates life.

Rev. Bill Crews has been fighting for the poor, homeless and needy for almost 50 years. Starting off with the street kids, Kings Cross in the 1970s, he worked tirelessly with the Wayside Chapel until he moved to Ashfield in the ‘80s and opened his now famous Loaves and Fishes free restaurant in the grounds of the church. To this day thousands of free meals are served every week to those in need, while also providing free dental, medical and social services. The only thing that has changed since the arrival of the Coronavirus is meticulous COVID checks and social distancing.

“What a couple of years it’s been eh?” says Rev Bill. “Time for a bit of hope and entertainment!"

This 3,000 km tour is an entertaining, travelling billboard for the work of the Rev Bill Crews Foundation.

The production tours in its own branded van and features the same top cast as in 2020: high profile singer/actor Ric Herbert (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show, The Full Monty, Equus, A Hard God, Underbelly, Wild Side and Sweet and Sour) and talented newcomer Tim Matthews (Studio 3, Disney Channel).
                                       
The Silver Tunnel – Presented by the Rev Bill Crews Foundation
Return Season Ashfield Uniting Church Tuesday 25 January to Saturday 29 Jan 8pm
Running time 50 minutes, tickets FREE | Covid-safe conditions apply

trailer >> https://vimeo.com/632286379

info + bookings >> www.thesilvertunnel.com