The play, written by Mark Wheeller, is a documentary-style production using actual words spoken by those affected by drink-driving. May 20th 1983… a lonely road… a car comes off the road and hits a bridge. The scaffolding construction slices through the car. The driver, Judy, escapes unhurt, but the passenger, her sister, Joanna is killed outright. Joanna and Judy were on their way home from an aerobics session followed by a trip to the local Bar. They had both been drinking.

This tragic incident is dramatised using only the words of those most closely involved and affected. Since its publication it has become one of the most performed plays ever. Although the original incident was set in Essex in 1983, the impact of this piece has not been dampened with age. It is a poignant and evolving story, that no matter the timeline, holds truth in the words of different people and their experiences with drink driving.

It was a privilege hosting the play which is currently travelling through New Zealand with an important message for our senior students and adults alike. The show will visit Twizel again on June 19th at 7 pm (Twizel Events Centre), with a community performance. Tickets are available at events.humanitix.com/too-much-punch-for-judy-twizel/tickets. Tickets start at $10.