More than tea and scones: CWA play is an eye-opener

Playwright Angela Murphy with Rita Merrick from Port Douglas CWA, who was interviewed for More Than Tea and Scones, and actor Sarah Speller. The production is coming to Cooktown on June 3.

COOKTOWN’S volunteers were part of the inspiration behind a new production by Cairns playwright Angela Murphy, which will be shown locally on June 3 as the nation celebrates 100 years of the Country Women’s Association.

Ms Murphy was intrigued to know what stories lay behind the quaint white CWA halls dotted across North Queensland, and visited more than 22 CWA branches, including Cooktown, to find out.

“I used to see all the CWA halls while out driving, the quaint tongue and groove buildings, white and blue and I always wondered what’s the story behind them, who are these people?” Ms Murphy said.

“When I first started researching their stories, I wasn’t sure what it would end up being.”

The answer is a funny and insightful piece of theatre that will appeal to those who care about their community.

“It’s an eye-opening revelation into what the women in the CWA do; it will surprise and amaze you,” she said.

“The show is heartfelt, honest and at times hilarious.”

Ms Murphy travelled more than 2200km, visited 22 CWA halls across the region and interviewed more than 70 women for research.

“I’m trying to show that all these people aren’t one, just because they are under the one CWA banner, they all have unique and different ways of engaging with and supporting their communities,” she said.

“Cooktown does the soup kitchen on Monday nights, Mt Molloy caters for the Cardiac Challenge bike riders, Tolga makes care bags for victims of domestic violence.

“All the different branches are doing different things to meet the needs of their communities.”

Titled More Than Tea and Scones, the play is touring the Far North, with a one-off showing at the Shire Hall in Cooktown at 6.30pm on Saturday, June 3.

Visit www.trybooking.com/CGYHO to book tickets.