Sydney II: Lost and Found
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. 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.
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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, will be brought to life using the immediacy of theatre with the visual impact of cinema, continuing the ground-breaking format discovered with A.B. Facey’s A Fortunate Life. Acclaimed actor Myles Pollard (McLeod’s Daughters, Home and Away, Sea Patrol) leads a West Australian cast including Tom O’Sullivan and Morgan Dukes, 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
Written by Jenny Davis
Directed by Stuart Halusz
Featuring Myles Pollard, Morgan Dukes, Tom O’Sullivan