THE SHIP THAT NEVER WAS - 30th ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE

Australia's longest running play is celebrating 30 years in Strahan!

From 5:00 – 7:00pm on Saturday 6th January 2024, at the Strahan Primary School, Australia’s longest running play will put on a special performance with a cast of thousands to celebrate 30 years in Strahan.

Venue: Strahan Primary School, 2 Bay St, Strahan
Venue open from 4:00pm
Show time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm, with an interval
What to bring: a picnic, a blanket or chair to sit on
Bookings not required
Performance will go ahead rain or shine

The Ship That Never Was tells the dramatic and hilarious true story about the last Great Escape from Sarah Island. In January 1834, ten convicts steal a ship from Macquarie Harbour and sail to Chile! Fun, interactive, family entertainment!

Written and directed by Tasmanian playwright, Richard Davey, for Breadline Theatre Company, the original production was performed in 1985 at the Peacock Theatre in Hobart with a cast of ten actors. For the next ten years, an ever-changing cast of six actors performed the play at various festivals and events around Tasmania and Melbourne.

In 1994, Richard Davey was invited to bring The Ship That Never Was to Strahan. Rewritten for 2 actors, The Ship That Never Was has been performed in Strahan ever since. November 2023 marked our 8000th performance, and over 100 actors have been involved in the production since it's creation, including many west coast locals.

One highlight of our history here in Strahan was the celebration of our 25th anniversary on the west coast (and our 34th anniversary since the original production in Hobart) with over 600 people watching the show.

We invite you to be a part of our special celebratory performance, which we are sure will be another highlight of our time here.