March 12, 2025
Murgon State High School will be hosting a special reading of Leah Purcell’s award-winning play, “Is That You Ruthie?”, next Tuesday (March 18).
The free event will feature the two actors from the current production of the play at the Cremorne Theatre in Brisbane reading their lines, with Leah providing stage directions.
“Is That You Ruthie?” tells the story of Dr Ruth Hegarty and her mother, the late Ruby-Anne Duncan.
Leah based her play on Aunty Ruth’s memoir, “Is That You, Ruthie?”, which won the David Unaipon Award in 1998, and its sequel, “Bittersweet Journey”.
The books explore the enduring connection between a mother and daughter despite being separated by government policies.
When Ruth turned five, her mother was sent out to work as a domestic servant and Ruth was moved into the Cherbourg Girls Dormitory.
Ruth stayed in the Dormitory until she, too, was sent out to work, at the age of 14.
The play reading is being held at Murgon State High School in conjunction with Oombarra Productions and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
Murgon and Cherbourg residents are especially invited to attend the free 90-minute event.
Doors open at 10:30am. Enter the high school grounds via the Dutton Street gate.
- Related article: Dormitory Echoes Win Theatre Award
