Red Cap

The Mount Isa mining dispute of 1964 arose from a struggle for better wages and work conditions but escalated into a no-holds-barred battle. The miners, their wives and the whole city rose up and pitted themselves against their Company and union, the media and the Government, who were all determined to break their will to fight.

A leader emerged. His name was Pat Mackie (with his distinctive red cap) who, in his own words, was "an old wobblie-minded worker with a shit-stirring touch".

A tale of community triumph over rampant authoritarianism, Red Cap is an exciting and original music-theatre experience that captures the Aussie battler's fight for dignity, self-determination, and the quintessential right to a 'fair go'.

Composer: Iain Grandage

APT