Outward Bound

An ocean liner's passengers come to realise why the words 'destiny' and 'destination' have the same root by Sutton Vane.

The play is about a group of seven passengers who meet in the lounge of an ocean liner at sea and realise that they have no idea why they are there, or where they are bound. But the travellers have more in common than they dare to suspect.

Out at sea, an eerie calm settles over the ship as each of them eventually discovers that they are dead, and that they have to face judgment from an Examiner, who will determine whether they are to go to Heaven or Hell.

When they are finally convinced that this is no ordinary journey, they decide to combine forces for the purpose of meeting the Examiner, who is to come aboard at the end of the journey. When the Examiner sorts out the sheep from the goats, there are surprises in store for the passengers.

Two of them, a young couple, are not called: they are half-ways, two suicides who refuse to face life. Now, with this momentous choice before them, they finally decide to return to the world, which they may face with greater courage.

Directed by: David Templeton and Mark Brown,
Sponsored by: Chris Wright (Baildon) Ltd