The Sydney Town Hall has been transformed into a tennis court for a performance based on the remarkable story of revered sportswoman, Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
Almost half a century since she won he first Grand Slam title, 'Sunshine Super Girl' depicts key moments in Ms Goolagong Cawley’s life, from her early days in the New South Wales regional town of Barellan to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
The production was written and directed by Yorta Yorta and Gunaikurnai playwright Andrea James, a self described "tennis tragic", it was the "right time" to pay tribute to her success.
"I read her autobiography five years ago and it really struck me; this is our first Aboriginal women's world champion, so it felt like the right time to really tell her story ... but also to look back on where Australia was at 50 years ago," she said.
"It was important that we took that show back to Griffith, to her country. It was really special to be able to feel the heartbeat of the story under your feet and have the community, people, and family who brought Evonne up around."
Yued/Wiilman Noongar actor Tuuli Narkle, who plays the role of Ms Goolangong Cawley in the production, said it was a bit daunting at first.
Ms Narkle playing Evonne Goolagong supplied
"Particularly because she was so big, everyone has a version of her that they think that they know. Stepping into the shoes of someone so well-known and incredible at what she does is terrifying." she told NITV Radio.
In 1971 and 1976, Ms Goolagong Cawley became the top woman tennis player in the world overcoming top-seeded players like Margaret Court, Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova.
She finished her career with 82 singles titles, including seven Grand Slam titles.
Ms Narkle as Evonne Goolagong in the performance image supplied
