Footy play proves big winner in Peta’s eyes

A PRODUCTION inspired by the nailbiting 2015 NRL grand final between the North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos will come to life on a Cairns stage.

JUTE Theatre Company together with Queensland Theatre and Debase Productions have joined forces to present The Longest Minute.

Launching in Cairns on May 4 to 12, the play will follow the story of a mixed race family of diehard Cowboys fans, following Jess, daughter of Foley Shield legend Frank “Black Flash” Wright, who was born on the night North Queensland made its NRL debut in Townsville.

The play is written by Robert Kronk and Nadine McDonald-Dowd and directed by Bridget Boyle. Jess, a talented player, confronts challenges and knock-backs somewhat paralleling the Cowboys’ own history.

Joining the production as assistant director is Peta Cooke, the creative producer of JUTE Theatre Company. She said she jumped at the chance to be a part of the performance after seeing a need for more regionally based creatives requiring career development opportunities at national standard level.

“This story spoke to me on so many levels. It is the quintessential North Queensland tale that focuses on one family of Cowboys’ diehards,” Ms Cooke said.

“Yes, it’s fandom at it’s best, but it represents that intercultural identity that North Queensland shares.

“Football is theatre played on grass and it’s such an exciting move by move piece of entertainment that could be fully translated to the stage.

“So we jumped on the opportunity to bring the story to the stage … and the opportunity for people to relive that grand final moment.” Ms Cooke will spend the next four weeks in Brisbane with Queensland Theatre for rehearsals and to build the set before the premiere in Cairns.

After the Cairns shows The Longest Minute will hit stages across the country including Townsville, Brisbane and Rockhampton before touring regional and remote communities next year. “We really encourage people who may have never seen a play before to come along and wear their footy colours,” Ms Cooke said.

“The whole stage is going to be a real footy field with grass ... we’re going to take people back to that game.”

For more details, or to buy tickets to the Cairns shows, visit jute.com.au/event/thelongest-minute-2

Picture: ANNA ROGERS HAVING A BALL: Peta Cooke is assistant creative director of The Longest Minute, a play about a North Queensland family who are diehard Cowboys fans. The production, inspired by the 2015 NRL grand final, will premiere in Cairns in May.