By Esther Lauaki
Peter Fernon has been telling stories for nearly 20 years – first for children and now for adults.
Fernon will take to the stage as his alter ego Charlie Lightfoot, a 104-year-old saxophone playing spudman from Trentham, in his upcoming show In the Wake of the War at Bacchus Marsh next month.
In the Wake of the War features the story of local war hero Ernie Herrick who famously tumbled off a waterfall at Trentham while he was drunk, and lived.
“I research local history about local spud diggers for my stories,” Fernon said.
“I put the story out there at the RSLs and interestingly found one of Ernie Herrick’s family members.
“To fill out the story I used the poems of one of the greatest World War I poets, Wilfred Owens.”
Fernon will delve into his own family history in the show, telling the story of his in-laws leaving Calabria after World War II.
“The war had destroyed the order in their village,” he said.“Women did men’s work and men, especially the ones who had been prisoners of war, had glimpsed other ways of life.”
In the Wake of the War will be performed on February 23 at the Impresario Theatre from 7.30pm. Tickets $15. Details: 0499 840 949
