Act 1, Scene 1. The play starts off with all the convicts and officers on their journey to Australia via ship which would have taken many months. Here we are introduced to the brutal and laborious nature of what the convicts are facing on a day to day basis.
Scene 2. We are introduced to the figure of the Aborigine who decides to keep his distance from the convicts for his own personal safety.
Scene 3. Phillip, Collins, Tench, and Brewer are shooting birds at Sydney Cove and they are debating hanging as a punishment because three of their convicts have been found guilty of stealing. Phillip is for reform of the convicts, Collins argues that they should be hung which Tench agrees as he views that the convicts are beyond redemption. However, Harry argues that the convicts do not care about hangings as they 'have become immune' to them taking place.
Scene 4. Ralph is writing his journal to his wife and it is revealed that Ralph is desperate for a promotion. Harry shortly joins him and we are introduced his deep rooted mental health issues regarding the hanging of 'Handy Baker' who is able to taunt Harry about his partner Duckling. Ralph learns the Governor is intrigued by the idea of reform through theatre and asks Harry to put his name in for directing the play 'The Recruiting Officer'.
Scene 5. We are introduced more personally to the convicts as the audition for the play called 'The Recruiting Officer' and these include 'Shitty' Meg, Dabby and Liz Morden. We see the friction that the convicts have between them and their low literacy levels.
Scene 6. The officers are all together and are debating the play and if the convicts should be allowed to take part. There is a big debate between the characters with strong arguments on both sides yet in the end the Governor allows Ralph to lead the play and for the play to proceed.
Scene 7. Harry and Duckling go rowing and we are shown the jealousy that Harry feels over Duckling and the fear he has of losing her. Harry also suggests that Duckling should take part in Ralph's play.
Scene 8. The women are learning their lines. Mary and Dabby are rehearsing and are then joined by Liz Morden who demands to be included which causes friction between her and Dabby. Ketch appears the end but is unanimously hated by the women who drive him away.
Scene 9. Ralph is becoming obsessed with his wife yet he is interrupted by Ketch who is pleading for justification over his past actions as he is longing for Ralph to allow him to become an actor.'
Scene 10. Wisehammer and Mary have a conversation about the meanings behind words yet Mary does not see the subtext that Wisehammer fancies her.
Scene 11. This is the convict cast's first rehearsal yet it is missing Kable and Arscott to which Dabby suggests have run away. The convicts humorously attempt some acting yet are silenced by the entrance of Campbell and Ross. The officers announce that Kable and Arscott are missing to which the officers blame Liz, Wisehammer and Caesar. This leaves the play in shambles.
Act Two, Scene 1. Liz, Wisehammer, Caesar and Arscott are all in chains. They share intimate details about their past lives and experiences. This leaves Sideway, Mary and Duckling who come to rehearse the play.
Scene 2. Ralph tells the governor that he wants to stop the play because half his cast are in chains and not many people like it anymore. The governor explains why he wants the play to be a success. He then asks for Liz especially to be in the play so she will be an example of reform and this inspires Ralph to continue.
Scene 3. Harry begins to have uncontrollable hallucinations which shows his mental health declining. He is accused by the voices in his head, Duckling attempts to comfort him yet Harry pushes her away.
Scene 4. We refer back to the Aborgini who is still disturbed by the presence of the convicts and the officers.
Scene 5. As he has been instructed Campbell brings the prisoners to rehearse the play with Ralph. Yet, the presence of the officers inhibits the play's progress as Ross ends up punishing Arscott. His sounds of punishment bring the rehearsal to a close.
Scene 6. Ketch is measuring the rope for Liz's hanging and we see that Harry is still plagued by his inner demons. Liz admits that she wants Ralph to know that she did not actually steal the food. Harry then suffers from a stroke and collapses.
Scene 7. The Aborigine continues to watch on as he is not sure about what to do. Ralph rehearses the actors but it does not go well due to clear personality clashes as well as the convicts blatantly ignoring each others ideas. Wisehammer offers Ralph a new, more political, prologue. Ketch arrives to go hang Liz at the end.
Scene 8. Harry is seriously ill, Duckling pleads with him to carry on living yet Harry dies.
Scene 9. Mary is on the beach rehearsing her role and Ralph joins her. They try to rehearse yet get distracted by each other and start to undress.
Scene 10. The officers debate the hanging of Liz Morden. The officers keep debating until Liz is brought forward and her silence speaks for her. This means the governor allows her to live for now and for her to perform in the play.
Scene 11. This is the final scene of the play. This takes place backstage just before the convicts are about to perform their play. We find out what the convicts wish for their future and that Dabby plans on escaping. Wisehammer tries to get Ralph to include his prologue which Ralph says is too political. Ralph thanks the actors for their work and it concludes with them walking on stage to the sound of applause.
