CATALPA: Flight to Freedom

THEATRE 180 & WA Museum

Six Irish freedom-fighters languish in Fremantle Prison at the dry end of the earth…hope, salvation and freedom lay in the hearts of friends on the other side of the world, the conviction of an American sea Captain, and success in the most daring prison break ever attempted.

Experience the thrill of the greatest prison break in Australian history – the rescue of 6 Irish freedom-fighters from Fremantle Prison in 1876 on board the American ship Catalpa. Espionage, secret letters, undercover agents, a love affair, a rescue ship in disguise, a desperate boat chase and the threat of war against the might of America, this story plays like a Hollywood movie with the heart of an Irish ballad.

Written by Stuart Halusz and Myles Pollard

Directed by Stuart Halusz

Featuring Myles Pollard, Tadhg Lawrence and Taran Knight

Reviews

“This story perfectly suits the CinePlay genre of live performance in front of a cinematic backdrop, given its epic nature and wild, evocative locations”. Alec Coles OBE, CEO WA Museum

“THEATRE 180 know how to tell a good story on stage. Led by Artistic Director Stuart Halusz and Executive Director Rebecca Davis, the THEATRE 180 team put people and relationships at the heart of everything they do and make a lasting impression on every presenter they work with and town they visit. Our state is richer for having them champion local stories and homegrown talent.” Hon David Templeman, former Minister for Culture and the Arts

“5* What a talented company! We have now had the delight of seeing three of their productions brought to regional areas. Superb…don’t miss their shows!” Rob Hill

Technical

Venue Format
Proscenium arch
Town hall
Flexible

Artforms

Interdisciplinary or Hybrid
Participatory and Immersive

Audience

No specific group

Costs

Weekly Fee: $15 - 20k

Per Performance Fee: $5 - 10k

Royalties: 17.5%

Company Contacts

Contact Name:

Rebecca

Davis

Email: rebecca@theatre180.com.au

Phone: 0414 345 381

Company Bio

THEATRE 180 is a touring company, sharing heritage stories of Western Australia and our nation's past to gain an insight into who we are now and our future as a diverse and vibrant multicultural society. In 2023 we were awarded a WA Heritage Award for Contributions by a Community Based Organisation for our work in telling WA stories and in 2024 won CircuitWest Producer of the Year Pinnacle Award. The world-first CinePlay genre was created with CinemaStage in 2020 for our award-winning adaptation of A.B. Facey's A Fortunate Life, followed by SYDNEY II: Lost and Found, The Lighthouse Girl Saga, Taking Liberty and 21 HEARTS: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke.

Company Website

https://theatre180.com.au/

Resources

Marketing Pack

Technical Specifications

In proud partnership with:

CircuitWest acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which we live and work across Western Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

CATALPA: Flight to Freedom

Technical

In proud partnership with:

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