SYDNEY II: Lost and Found

From the dark days of WWII and a race against time over sixty years later, comes a true story of love, loss and hope. When HMAS Sydney II was sunk by the disguised German Raider HSK Kormoran in November 1941, it took with it, along with her entire crew of 645 men, the hopes and dreams of a nation as the war arrived on our doorstep. Among the Sydney’s crew was a young Western Australian Able Seaman, Allan Rowe. Recently wed, Allan had only just learned that he was to be a father. For 66 years Allan’s wife, Jessie, and their daughter, Ellen, hoped that one day the wreck of The Sydney would be located.

In 2008, due to the persistence of the volunteer Directors of the Finding Sydney Foundation, that dream became true.

SYDNEY II: Lost and Found tells the real life story of the dramatic loss of the pride of the Royal Australian Navy, off the coast of Geraldton. This epic story of love and loss, fear and courage, and the resolution of a mystery for those who persisted and never gave up hope, is brought to life using the immediacy of theatre with the visual impact of cinema, continuing the ground-breaking format discovered with our production of A.B. Facey’s A Fortunate Life.

Form and Style

The show has three Cast Members, an Assistant Stage Manager, Stage Manager, Crew Member (who is also the Director) and Producer/Touring Manager in the touring party. For cinema venues, or venues with large enough screens we tour with our own stage, lighting and vocal PA system. We use the venue’s own PA system for surround sound. For venues without screens such as town halls, we also bring our own projector and portable 7.25m x 4.3m screen. Our equipment fits into a 3 tonne truck that the company drives. We require the day prior to the performance to bump in / sound check.

Community Engagement

We offer a post show Q&A after each performance and traditionally approx 90% of the audience stay behind afterwards to talk with the cast and director.

We have a schools Education Pack that can be provided to teachers. The director can provide a talk at the school or any community group separate to the Q&A.

Reviews

“A unique blend of live theatre & a cinematic experience, complete with soundtrack and tangible performances. The backdrop is the cinema screen but a dynamic and lively one where backgrounds move, performers interact with each other on both stage and screen, and real footage of the discovery of the wreckage is shown. The result is a breathtaking experience that engages the senses & transports the audience to wherever they need to be – historical Perth, the deck of the Sydney, even a farm in Manjimup! It’s immersive theatre at its finest & we are happy to be ‘on board.’ Directed by Stuart Halusz the work uses every single part of its stage both on screen & off! A stellar performance by all three actors, each character is brought to life with incredible talent…A sweeping romance between the people of Australia & the ship that captured everyone’s heart…This is an experience not to be missed.” – Fourth Wall Media

“Three outstanding actors on stage, and another lovely performance on film, are seamlessly blended with photographs & original film, including the beautiful & haunting underwater film of the Kormoran & Sydney wrecks, as well as gorgeous imagery of Western Australia, both on land & at sea.” – Stage Whispers

“The narrative was beautifully successful in weaving together historical nostalgia with a contemporary scientific adventure. The skilfulness of the performance connected me to the solemn sadness underpinning a very personal story.” – JT Flood, Audience

Available Marketing Collaterals

Sample media release

Professional poster/flyer artwork

Promotional video

Interview promo videos

Production photographs

Schools Education Pack

Credits

THEATRE 180: 29 years experience creating productions for touring metro Perth, regional WA, interstate & overseas (UK). Our 2020-2022 seasons of A FORTUNATE LIFE toured to Midland, Albany, Busselton, Rockingham, Como, Geraldton & Joondalup. Through Playing WA funding it toured to 10 smaller WA regional towns. Our 2021 season of SYDNEY II: Lost and Found toured to Albany, Busselton, Rockingham, Kalgoorlie, Warwick, Midland & Geraldton. Through Playing WA funding it toured to 7 smaller WA regional towns in 2022. There will be an SM, ASM, Director and Producer (also as crew) & 3 actors on tour. Stuart Halusz (Director & Artistic Director): Lead post show Q&A’s & school/audience community engagement opportunities. Green Man Media (Albany) – Marketing: Have a relationship with many WA regional towns through their documentaries/TV ads. Will produce the marketing collateral. Garry Ferguson (Production Manager): 35 years professional industry experience in technical & production management in the UK & WA. The three actors are WAAPA & NIDA trained.