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Frankston Arts Centre and Chester Creative are proud to present Hell Ship: The Journey of The Ticonderoga, to be streamed live from the Frankston Arts Centre stage, direct to your living room.  

"...an encounter with the extraordinary in one's own family story... A thrilling and moving night in the theatre." - Guy Rundle

In 1852, the emigrant vessel Ticonderoga limped into Port Phillip Bay after a nightmare voyage from England in which a quarter of her nearly 800 passengers and crew had died from typhus. As its victims – Scottish families seeking a new life - were buried hastily at sea, schools of sharks, it was said, followed the stricken vessel all the way across the Indian Ocean.

When news of the ‘fever ship’ reached Melbourne, the city went into a panic. Typhus could wipe out a crowded city such as theirs - just the mention of the word filled people with dread. Special editions of the papers were printed to tell the grisly story of the ill-fated vessel to transfixed readers. Forbidden to come into port, Ticonderoga was instead forced to anchor near Portsea where her remaining passengers were either nursed back to health, or allowed to die.

In its day, the Ticonderoga was the most dramatic, most tragic true stories of our maritime history. Today however, the saga is largely forgotten as has the story of one of its heroes, the young ship’s surgeon who bravely nursed many of the sick passengers back to health. This man was performer Michael Veitch’s great-great grandfather, James William Henry Veitch.

This one-man play tells one of our great maritime stories from the wonderful writer and actor Michael Veitch. Known for his artful and tender characters and ability to transfix an audience with a sense of awe as they enter the world he so powerfully creates on stage.

Tickets are priced at whatever you can afford. With a downturn in ticket revenue, your support in exchange for this livestream performance is most welcome. Tickets begin at $0, and can be purchased online at thefac.com.au.

This performance will be livestreamed straight from our main stage to you at home simultaneously via the FAC Facebook page and YouTube channel. Join us online on Saturday 22 August, 6pm!