'It's January 1834. The Frederick, the last ship built at the convict settlement of Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour, is about to sail for the new prison at Port Arthur. Ten convict shipwrights have other ideas. So begins the story of an amazing escape, an extraordinary voyage and an intriguing twist in the tale of The Ship That Never Was.'
Source: Round Earth Theatre Company.
The Ship That Never Was has been performed daily in Strahan, Tasmania, since January 1994, and is Australia's longest-running play. Since 1994, it has been the only play performed by the Round Earth Theatre Company. In summer (September to May) the play is performed live. In winter (June to August), it is replaced by a film version.
A two-person play, it incorporates members of the audience in the production, during which a ship is built on stage.
