Act 1 Scene 1: The Voyage Out
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: Inside the hold of the convict ship Sirius bound for Australia
Characters: Robert Sideway, John Wisehammer, other convicts, Ralph Clark listens nearby
Time: Night/dark (semi-darkness suggested with whipping happening as the hold is dim)
What Happens: Sideway is flogged and thrown with the other convicts; they reflect on their journey
Act 1 Scene 1: The Voyage Out
set
The three convicts excluding sideway and ralph would be seated on the floor downstage right, huddled together and in shackles. They would be shivering. Ralph would be between upstage left and centre stage left flogging sideway, who is tied to the pole.
Ensemble members would be seated on the floor in small huddles, across the stage, shivering and coughing.
Act 1 Scene 2: A Lone Aboriginal Australian Describes the Arrival of the First Convict Fleet in Botany Bay on January 20 1788
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: Botany Bay (shoreline)
Characters: The Aboriginal Australian (only speaker in this scene)
Time: Daytime (arrival of convict fleet visible on the horizon)
What Happens: The Aboriginal man observes and comments on the arrival of the first fleet.
Act 1 Scene 2: A Lone Aboriginal Australian Describes the Arrival of the First Convict Fleet in Botany Bay on January 20 1788
set
the audience is sloped but not in tiered seating and there is a slightly raised vom in the middle of the audience leading from the back of the audience to the edge of the thrust, a large dead tree with a big rock
Act 1 Scene 3: Punishment
set
Cyclorama: blue sky background
A couple crates/boulders on stage that the men are seated on, except Ralph who would be sat on the floor
Act 1 Scene 5: An Audition
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: A large tent near the camp
Characters: Ralph Clark, Dabby Bryant, Mary Brenham, Liz Morden, Meg Long (“Shitty Meg”), others auditioning
Time: Likely morning or daytime (auditions typically held in light)
What Happens: Convicts audition for The Recruiting Officer, Mary impresses Ralph.
Act 1 Scene 5: An Audition
set
Open area with minimal props — crates, benches, and scrolls; makeshift performance area for auditions.
Act 1 Scene 4: The Loneliness of Men
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: Ralph Clark’s tent
Characters: Ralph Clark, Harry Brewer
Time: Likely evening/night (private reflection by lantern or camp light)
What Happens: Ralph writes his diary to his wife; Harry discusses guilt and relationships
Act 1 Scene 3: Punishment
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: Sydney Cove (outside, near water)
Characters: Governor Arthur Phillip, Captain David Collins, Captain Watkin Tench, Midshipman Harry Brewer
Time: Daytime (shooting birds implies daylight)
What Happens: Officers debate hangings and punishment vs. reform
Act 1 Scene 6: The Authorities Discuss The Merits of Theatre
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: Large tent near officers’ mess or encampment
Characters: Phillip, Collins, Tench, Major Robbie Ross, Reverend Johnson, Ralph, others
Time: Night (characters have been drinking; pitched voices and late-night debate)
What Happens: Officers argue whether convicts should put on a play
Act 1 Scene 4: The Loneliness of Men
set
A desk and two chairs on one side of stage, could have wheels to highlight brechtian element. Entrance to tent denoted by a door frame. Again brechtian
Act 1 Scene 7: Harry and Duckling Go Rowing
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: A rowing boat on the water off the settlement
Characters: Harry Brewer, Duckling Smith
Time: Daytime (on the water)
What Happens: Harry and Duckling talk awkwardly about their relationship and the play.
Act 1 Scene 7: Harry and Duckling Go Rowing
set
Low platform or raised “water” area; small boat/rowboat platform or floor markings; minimal props for oars.
Blue cyclorama for water
OR actors not involved in the scene hold blue fabric and rustle it: Brechtian
Act 1 Scene 6: The Authorities Discuss The Merits of Theatre
set
Officers’ tent or small council area; table, chairs, papers, maps; canvas walls
Act 1 Scene 8: The Women Learn Their Lines
set
Tent or makeshift rehearsal area; benches, scattered scripts, small props; minimal furniture for mobility
Act 1 Scene 8: The Women Learn Their Lines
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: Large tent used as rehearsal space
Characters: Mary, Dabby, Liz, Ketch Freeman
Time: Daytime (rehearsal during wake hours)
What Happens: Women rehearse lines; tensions surface, Ketch appears and is rejected
Act 1 Scene 9: Ralph Clark Tries to Kiss His Dear Wife’s Picture
set
A desk and two chairs on one side of stage, could have wheels to highlight brechtian element. Entrance to tent denoted by a door frame. Again brechtian
Act 1 Scene 9: Ralph Clark Tries to Kiss His Dear Wife’s Picture
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: Ralph’s tent
Characters: Ralph Clark, Ketch Freeman
Time: Late evening/night
What Happens: Ralph reads to his wife’s portrait; Ketch begs to be included in the play.
Act 1 Scene 10: John Wisehammer and Mary Brenham Exchange Words
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: The outskirts of camp (near woods)
Characters: John Wisehammer, Mary Brenham
Time: Daytime
What Happens: Wisehammer helps Mary with script; they discuss roles
Act 1 Scene 10: John Wisehammer and Mary Brenham Exchange Words
set
low platforms, small rocks, sand, scattered branches; open stage to suggest natural environment.
Act 1 Scene 11: The First Rehearsal
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: Large tent converted into rehearsal space
Characters: Ralph Clark, Sideway, Mary, convicts (some), Major Ross, Campbell
Time: Daytime
What Happens: Mixed results; two actors have gone missing; arrests happen, hampering rehearsal.
Act 1 Scene 11: The First Rehearsal
set
Open area with minimal props — crates, benches, and scrolls; makeshift performance area for auditions.
Act 2 Scene 1: Visiting Hours
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: Prison in the camp
Characters: Liz Morden, Wisehammer, Caesar, Arscott, Mary, Duckling, Sideway
Time: Daytime (visitation hours in prison)
What Happens: Convicts in chains share past lives; rehearsal still on minds.
Act 2 Scene 2: His Excellency Exhorts Ralph
Time, Place, Characters Involved
Location: Governor Phillip’s tent or office
Characters: Phillip, Ralph Clark
Time: Daytime
What Happens: Phillip encourages Ralph to continue with the play
