The true stories of two Southlanders who were executed for their crimes: Minnie Dean (the infamous Winton baby farmer) and Victor Spencer (shot for desertion during WW1).
The story of Dean taking the lives of numerous young babies, abandoned by their mothers, believing that it was God's will that "they be taken home" leaves wide open the question of whether Dean should be pitied or vilified.
A young Maori soldier from Bluff with the Otago regiment, who in 1918 was the last New Zealand soldier executed in World War I for being a perpetual deserter.
His is a familiar tale from the war, one of suffering from shell shock, taking to drink falling in love with a local girl, but unable to cope he runs away and pays the ultimate price. The telling of this tale by Gillies is poignant and heartfelt, and conveys with great insight the plight of this young man.
A roving narrater fills in the gaps, moving the story along and highlighting the inner turmoil of the two characters.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2012
New Zealand Fringe Festival 2013

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