1915: The Untold Story - staged by 15-18yr olds from HYT

About

Opens Aug 7 - 15 - performed by 15-18 year olds.

A local story brought back to life

1915: The Untold Story, written by former HYT tutor Karen Houghton, opens at Stirling Community Theatre this August. The production offers a compelling portrayal of life in the Adelaide Hills during the First World War—not on the battlefield, but on the home front.

Originally staged in 2018, the revival forms a key part of HYT’s milestone anniversary year and continues the company’s strong tradition of youth-led, locally relevant storytelling.

Exploring the human cost of war

Directed by Ben Proeve in his final year with HYT, alongside co-director Harri Wolff, the production follows the Green family and their community as enlistment, separation and social division reshape daily life.

As young men leave for war, those who remain must navigate uncertainty, shifting loyalties and the emotional toll of waiting. Through letters from soldiers and nurses abroad, the realities of war echo back into the Hills, revealing the profound impact of global conflict on small communities.

Drawing on local history, the production also reflects the experiences of German-Australian communities in the Adelaide Hills and the lasting changes to town identities during this period.

“This is a story deeply connected to the Adelaide Hills,” the creative team said. “It shines a light on the people who stayed behind, their resilience, their struggles, and the ways their lives were forever changed.”