The Female Factory at Parramatta was the depot to which women convicts were sent for confinement, for employment, and for punishment. It was also a marriage-mart. An Emancipist, or free settler, who was obtained the necessary permission, would go to the factory for the purpose of selecting a bride and the women who were able and willing, were drawn up for inspection. The settlers threw down their handkerchiefs in front of the “lady of their choice”, and if the lady agreed, they would be married. This way the lady obtained a pardon, so satisfaction for both partners.
“The Canary Cage” is an imaginative and musical re-enactment of incidents which really happened. Our story begins with Commissioner Bigge, who suspicious of the corruption up at “the canary cage”, sends one Captain Grange to investigate this matter. Meanwhile the women convicts, angered by the continual cutting down of their rations, plan a riot and escape. Their ringleader is Kathy O’Donnell, and all too soon Captain Grange and Kathy are caught up and drawn together by this event. This is a story of a group of women convicts who shared lives, loves, miseries and hopes.
This show was performed in May/June 1985 at Benalla Town Hall.
Benalla Theatre Company 