First performed at the Royal Court, London and winner of the Olivier Play of the Year Award in 1988, this is the story of the first piece of western theatre performed in Australia. Set in 1789 in the rudimentary penal colony that became Sydney, a young lieutenant works with convicts to bring Farquhar’s The Recruiting Offcer to life under the eye of Governor Phillip. Facing opposition from colleagues and disruptions from his motley crew of actors, one of whom is about to be hanged, Lt Clark and his riotous charges learn more about the redemptive power of theatre than they ever imagined.