Macleay Island residents will put on their best bonnets to see Margaret Dakin’s play A Bonnet for Eliza to be performed by Perchance Players at the Macleay Island Progress hall on February 22 and 24.
The play tells the true story of a convict woman whose survival and resilience is a testament to women of her time. She was transported for the alleged murder of her child and died in Burnie, Tasmania at age 78.
The play features a cast of 13 with Eliza played by Mary Veitch, the older Eliza by Eleesa Zlatic, Joseph Roebuck by Roy Nunn, Amos by Tom Lippscombe and Cushla by Farrell Bannister. The play is being directed by Barbara Collier of Victoria Point with musical direction by Vicky Macdonald.
Ms Macdonald also set Ms Dakin’s lyrics to music.
“It has been a privilege to work with Margaret. All her work has its legitimacy in history and her lyrics are just beautiful. They pull at your emotions in this heartening story of what people can do in a time of adversity. In this case, it is one woman who has gone beyond, from survival to thriving,” Ms Macdonald said.
Ms Macdonald said the songs were written appropriate to that time and include a sea shanty and lament.
Ms Macdonald said the project started in 2010 when both she and Ms Dakin met Dr Christina Henry who held bonnet workshops to acknowledge those women who came to Australia as convicts.
Enquiries to 0433 333 494.
