Ship of Fools Brief Synopsis

Destiny has chosen to focus on the cruise ship, 'The Ship of Fools'. Several passengers have joined the ship in order to experience the cruise of a lifetime, perhaps to fall in love, or to re-create a second honeymoon, or to save a failing marriage. Whatever their reasons they are closely observed by Destiny who has chosen to 'steer' their lives.

Destiny gives us our instructions for watching this journey and warns us that it may be familiar, sometimes uncomfortable...”try not to squirm if you see yourself!” Invitations are sent to ten guests to attend the Captain's Table.

In the first class cabin of “Conjugal Bliss”, we meet Alex and Carol. They have the wealth to indulge themselves in whatever they choose. She chooses Dutch masterpieces and alcohol, he chooses antiquities and young men.

In the cabin of “Self-Deprecation”, we meet Ruth. Her travelling companion is her pet goldfish, Moby. She takes Valium on a regular basis to stay 'calm'. In the cabin of “Ego and Vanity”, Bruce has come on board as the gym instructor. It is the perfect location for him to indulge his sexual appetite.

In the cabin of “Communication”, Phyllis eats and babbles, her husband Joe ignores her completely. This appears to be their method of survival. In the adjacent cabins of “Pre-Destination”, Ben and Shelley wonder at the chances of ever falling in love and truly finding a soul-mate.

Watching from the “Deck Chairs of Longevity” are Bea and Herman. They are celebrating fifty years of wedded bliss.

We meet and watch the passengers as they prepare, and attend dinner at the Captain's table. Destiny, constantly amused by the lies, distorted facts, half truths and exaggeration going on around the room.

Over the following days we follow the liaisons that are made, the deceptions indulged, the soul searching, the confrontations. We see success and failure, life and love and death.

In SHIP OF FOOLS Destiny advises all to look to our lives and our hearts to secure our future!

SHIP OF FOOLS has 11 principal characters. Can have Keyboard only or band.

Ship of Fools Gallery

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Ship of Fools Brief History

SHIP OF FOOLS was the first major musical written by Paul Keelan and Gary Young.

It received its first major workshop presentation at Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne in January 2000. The cast featured many of Australia's best performers including Marina Prior, Jackie Rees, Silvie Paladino and John O'May to name a few.

Following further development, SHIP OF FOOLS was produced as the inaugural production from the new Foundation Program Music Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) in 2002, directed by Martin Croft.