Newk (The John Newcombe Story)

John Newcombe 4

NEWK (The John Newcombe Story) 

Written by Kieran Carroll

Performed by Paul Armstrong

Directed by Ross Daniels

Sound and Lighting – Julian Camara and Justin Gardam

The time is May 2024 and it’s NEWK’s 80th!

Come and join the party as NEWK celebrates the milestone and takes you back in time.

REVIEW – APRIL 2025

The first four star review of the new production starring Paul Armstrong is courtesy of Sydney Theatre Reviews.

NEWK (The John Newcombe Story) @ The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre

THE NEWK TEAM from L to R:  tech Julian Camara, playwright and producer Kieran Carroll, actor Paul Armstrong and director Ross Daniels.

2026 DATES

Saturday January 24th – Twyford Theatre, Merimbula

24 January 2026: NEWK (The John Newcombe Story)

Saturday January 31st – Avoca Beach Theatre, NSW

https://events.humanitix.com/newk-the-john-newcombe-story

Sunday February 1st – Cowra Civic Centre, NSW

https://cowra.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/153465

Friday 24th July – Don Russell PAC, Gosnells, Perth

Saturday 25th July – Kalamunda PAC, Kalamunda, Perth

Sunday November 1st – Warners Bay Theatre, NSW

Wednesday November 4th – Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith, NSW

Thursday November 5th – Tarcutta Memorial Hall, Tarcutta, NSW

Friday November 6th and Saturday November 7th – Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre 

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Damian Callinan was the star of NEWK  from the show’s debut in January 2019 to May 2024. For a wonderful overview of his time as NEWK, please click onto the link below. Some fantastic photos too throughout of NEWK himself and Damian.

https://open.substack.com/pub/damiancallinan/p/the-newk…

86730178_10157832236247334_8888966746476642304_o86703408_10157829754137334_3375838406255837184_n

From Glen Street Theatre, Sydney – February 2020

Top Photo: Actor Damian Callinan, Gigi Newcombe, playwright Kieran Carroll, Angie Newcombe, Clint Newcombe.

Above: Damian Callinan, Sue and Roz (Newk’s sisters), Kieran Carroll

Below – NEWK at the bar – Frankston Arts Centre – February 2020

84526447_10157823835742334_5274812102593216512_nA link to the star of the show, Damian Callinan, can be found here:

Home

Please follow down the page for information about NEWK.

Debut press release

Media Release.png

Yan Zhuang’s Sunday Age article about the play can be found below:

https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/theatre/a-trip-back-in-time-with-an-australian-tennis-legend-20190110-p50qpb.html

Below is the Conversation Hour from ABC 774 where Damian Callinan and I talk about the play. Our part starts about 18 minutes in.

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/theconversationhour/the-conversation-hour/10718296?fbclid=IwAR3g5bNJuQD7GS0Sc4_bKzEi7nTbxPS5InHVU2YfCuwLe914aEU3yFZOz40

Below is a review of the opening night’s show on Jan 14th, 2019 @ The Butterfly Club, Melbourne.

http://www.whatdidshethink.com/2019/01/

Below is a review from The Toorak Times on Jan 16th, 2019 @ The Butterfly Club, Melbourne.

Newk (The John Newcombe Story)

Below is a review from Keith Gow, Theatre First, Jan 2019 @ The Butterfly Club, Melbourne

http://www.keithgow.com/2019/01/review-newk-john-newcombe-story-by.html