SYDNEY II:
SYDNEY II: Lost and Found
WA MARITIME MUSEUM, NOVEMBER 19 - 29
A true story of romance, danger, courage and fateful decisions. From the dark days of WWII and a race against time over sixty years later, comes a story of love, loss and hope.
In collaboration with WA Museum
Written by Jenny Davis. Directed by Stuart Halusz. Featuring Myles Pollard, Tom O’Sullivan and Georgia Unsworth.
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.
Written to commemorate the 80th anniversary in 2021, 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 with acclaimed actors Myles Pollard, Tom O’Sullivan and Georgia Unsworth.
Journey across oceans and eras as we chart the loss and discovery of Australia’s famous warship and her valiant crew.
Stuart Halusz, Artistic Director THEATRE 180, says, “In a world that is facing great challenges now, and in the future, we gain so much insight from reflecting on the dangers faced by Australians in the past and the qualities of courage, humour, endurance, love and tenacity that brought us through.”
A story of great courage and heart. A story for all Australians.
Duration 105min (no interval)
Content warning Explosions, war scenes
The initial production was made possible through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative
Produced in collaboration with the Western Australian Museum
LOCATION:
WA Maritime Museum, Victoria Quay, 26 Peter Hughes Drive, Fremantle
2026 SEASON DATES:
Thursday 19 Nov | 11am & 7pm
Friday 20 Nov | 11am & 7pm
Saturday 21 Nov | 2pm & 7pm
Sunday 22 Nov | 5pm
Wednesday 25 Nov | 7pm
Thursday 26 Nov | 11am (followed by a post show Q&A) & 7pm
Friday 27 Nov | 11am & 7pm
Saturday 28 Nov | 2pm (Audio Described performance) & 7pm
Sunday 29 Nov | 5pm
Image: Stewart Thorpe Photography
WA Maritime Museum, Victoria Quay, 26 Peter Hughes Drive, Fremantle, NOV 19 - 29
“
Three outstanding actors on stage, and another lovely performance on film, are seamlessly blended with photographs and original film, including the beautiful and haunting underwater film of the Kormoran and Sydney wrecks, as well as gorgeous imagery of Western Australia, both on land at sea. This is a production that is information-heavy but is beautiful storytelling, aided by wonderful sound (sound design by Ben Collins and composition by Ron Siemiginowski) and beautifully composed imagery from Visual Designer Michael Paget and Sunburnt Films. Sydney II: Lost and Found is a show that is very different, intellectually fulfilling and visually splendid. Showing in a number of suburban and regional theatres means that it should be readily accessible, and is well worth a look.
- Stage Whispers
Theatre 180 has developed and refined its technical capabilities in their second outing in this self-described genre, and the live and filmed action work extremely well on both a narrative and emotional level. Its production team led by designers Ben Collins (sound), and Michael Paget (visuals) use Ace Cinema’s huge screen to great effect and it dovetails exactly with the live action. The cast – Myles Pollard, Morgan Dukes and Tom O’Sullivan (Janet Pettigrew is Ellen Rowe in filmed segments) – take 20 different characters everywhere from Jessie’s family farm in Manjimup to the bridges of the Kormoran and the Sydney, and from the 1940s to the 2000s, with impressive skill.
- Seesaw Magazine
Thoroughly enjoyed the premiere of “Sydney II: lost and found”. This is a must-see production - movie, music, and live theatre together telling a very important Australian story set in WA. The two intertwined personal stories are both moving and illuminating. Congratulations Theatre 180 and thank you! This work helps fill the 645 empty spaces in Australian families. Take a huge bow Jenny Davis for your well-researched and very human script!!
- Libby Stone
WOW, hats off to you all, what a wonderful production - just everything was wow. Thank you for producing this. I bought my brother along (I was a bit hesitant to know if he would like it) he couldn’t stop talking about it on the way home and he’s even thinking of driving to Geraldton for the 80th anniversary and see your production again in the place which has so much history. Wow.
- Carlz Sol
I was absolutely blown away by the quality of the production and performance. I was impressed by the novel integration of contemporary cinema technology with live performance. After the first 30 minutes of adjusting to the medium, I felt myself fall deeply immersed into the story. The narrative was beautifully successful in weaving together historical nostalgia with a contemporary scientific adventure. The skillfulness of the performance connected me to the solemn sadness underpinning a very personal story.
- Ran Commander, Jye Flood
The Team
Writer
Jenny Davis
Director
Stuart Halusz
Cast
Myles Pollard
Tom O'Sullivan
Georgia Unsworth
Janet Pettigrew
Sound Designer
Ben Collins
Composer
Ron Siemiginowski
Audio Visual Designer
Michael Paget
Audio Visual Production
Sunburnt Films
Stage Manager
Craig Williams
Assistant Stage Manager
Aaron Stirk
Wardrobe Manager
Elvie Haluszkiewicz
Costume Intern
Chandre Clark
Costume Intern
Christina Piasecka
Thank You To:
Support Us
you can support us
As an independent, not-for-profit theatre company, we welcome any form of support. Donations of $2.00 or more are tax-deductible.
The THEATRE 180 Public Fund (ABN: 33 042 434 145) is a tax deductible fund listed on the Australian Government’s Register of Cultural Organisations maintained under Subdivision 30-F of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
ALL DONATIONS ARE MAINTAINED IN A SPECIAL PUBLIC FUND ADMINISTRATED BY THEATRE 180 AND THESE FUNDS WILL ONLY BE USED FOR THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THE ORGANISATION.
THEATRE 180 Public Fund
Robin Tunnicliffe FCPA CPM, Jenny Davis OAM, Stuart Halusz
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