Box the Pony

Box the Pony is the real-life journey of a modern young Aboriginal diva, Leah Purcell. Set against the mustard coloured grass and the deep blue Queensland sky, Leah tells her story of strength and hope with honesty, thoughtfulness and a wonderful sense of humour.

Growing up in an atmosphere of violence and racism, Leah is nearly trapped in a life she cannot control. But determined to break the cycle which has bound generations of women in her family, she finds the will to escape, finally achieving fame on her own terms.

Commissioned for the Festival of the Dreaming in 1997, this one-woman play has gone on to captivate audiences around Australia and overseas. Now the playscript is published here in its entirety, together with introductions by the authors, Scott Rankin and Leah Purcell, and director's notes by Sean Mee.

Contents

• Forewords (Robyn Archer | Sue Nattrass)
• Introductions (Leah Purcell | Scott Rankin)
• Director's Notes (Sean Mee)
• Cadence
• The Characters
• Box the Pony
• Traditional Language
• Notes to the Play (Robyn Sheahan-Bright)
• Further Reading
• Reach Out
• Acknowledgements