It’s 1876 in remote penal colony Fremantle, Western Australia, and six Irish political prisoners are daringly rescued from Fremantle Prison.

The true story of the New England whaling ship Catalpa, and her astonishing captain George Anthony comes to life on stage as one of the most extraordinary prison escapes of all time.

This engaging play – described by the Irish Times as: “A triumph, a joy and a delight, I beg you to go and see it” – will be at Wesley Performing Arts Centre in Horsham next Wednesday at 7.30pm.

In 1866, six Irish men in the British Army are convicted of high treason and sentenced to life imprisonment at Fremantle.

One of the imprisoned men, James Wilson, sends an appeal for rescue to Fenian leader John Devoy in New York.

Devoy orchestrates a carefully constructed rescue plan that requires aid and secrecy from more than 3000 sympathisers and activists in Dublin, the United States, England, Australia and New Zealand.

However, the ultimate success of the mission lies with two men, John Breslin and Captain George Anthony.

Catalpa, written by one of Ireland’s best-known playwrights and actors Donal O’Kelly, has won awards at the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne International festivals, as well as Irish Arts Council literature bursaries and the Irish American Cultural Literary Award.

Catalpa, starring Melbourne actor and Cork City native Des Fleming, is a gripping tapestry, a ripping yarn, brought to life by word and sound alone.

Book online at wesleypac.com.au or at Harvey World Travel on 5382 6699.

Contributed