Also known as ‘Strolling Theatre’, Louisa’s Walk is a live performance depicting the life of an Irish woman named Louisa Regan who was imprisoned for committing a petty crime. The story of Louisa takes you back to the late 19th century in Hobart which was one of the first English settlements in Tasmania. The story is about a woman’s journey to Hobart and what she experienced as a female prisoner. Once Louisa was arrested in England she was transported on a ship, the Rajah, and sent to Tasmania in 1841. Her journey to Tasmania lasted three months; during this time she and 178 other female prisoners stitched together a patchwork quilt which is now a famous artefact. She was sentenced to seven years in a female prison known as the Cascade Female Factory. The live performance known as Louisa’s Walk incorporates dialogue and action to relate her story, an ordinary woman who was incarcerated.
Louisa’s story is heartbreaking; she had stolen a loaf of bread and had to suffer the consequences of it for seven years in an unknown land. She had to face harsh conditions while in prison; around 1,200 women were forced to live in unsanitary habitations and women often died of disease. The bleak conditions increased the level of depression and desperation for the female inmates. Although the Cascade Female Factory was meant to rehabilitate female criminals the story of Louisa reveals that punishments were severe.
Louisa’s Walk has been recognized as an award winning theatrical performance. The show is fascinating because it is a combination of history, education and drama. It is a show unlike any other because it recreates a historical narrative through drama. Performances open at 2pm daily and you should arrive ten minutes before the show.
Visitors who are looking for places to stay in Tasmania should search for apartment accommodation Hobart has to offer. Accommodation in Hobart range from cottages to villas and hotels to apartments and there are plenty of places you can choose from. One of the best choices is Somerset on Salamanca Hobart which has spacious residencies that are conveniently located in proximity to the central business district and local tourist attractions.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
