The Sailor's Dream Event – The New Theatre

Sir John Franklin set out in 1845 with the two best ships of the Royal Navy and 129 crew on this mission. They disappeared without trace. Not a single survivor returned to tell what happened. Upon request of his indomitable wife, Lady Franklin, search parties gathered fragments of evidence, but not enough to give a complete picture.

Today a dedicated Irishman continues to search for Franklin’s grave, the last chance to throw light on his fate. Through story and song, history and speculation, Jack Harte brings this intriguing episode of polar exploration to life again and takes the audience on its own voyage of exploration into the enigma of Lady Jane Franklin.

Creative team

Lady Jane Franklin: Darina Gallagher

Sophia Cracoft, Emily Tennyson: Emily Healy

Kevin, Franklin, Coppin, McClintock: Eoin O’Sullivan

Joseph, Fitzjames, Tennyson, Dickens: Jed Murray

Crozier, Rae: Ruairí Lenaghan

Writer – Jack Harte

Director – Andy Crook

Lighting Design – Cathy O’Carroll

Set Design- Martin Cahill

Costume Design – Toni Bailey

Stage Management- Eva Walsh

Inspired by Kevin Cronin’s book.

Photos by Al Craig.

Jack Harte’s novels and short stories have been published in 13 languages. As a playwright, he made his debut in 2015 with Language of the Mute in The New Theatre, which toured the following year to many of the major theatres around Ireland. This was followed by The Mysterious History of Things (Viking Theatre, 2016). Lugh and Balor was performed in Greek translation at the amphitheatre of Maroneia and the Theatre of Komotini in Greece. Killing Grandad, The Pleasureometer, Outside the Club of Culture, and Sing it Slantways were all presented at The New Theatre, as was The Laughing Boy, his play based on Brendan Behan’s song of the same name which became the anthem of the Left in Greece – this was presented at The New Theatre in 2021 and revived in 2022, before moving to London. His most recent play was Vulture (The New Theatre, 2022). More info: www.jackharte.com