Navigating Flinders

   by Don Reid

Navigating Flinders is a play which gives insights into the character and personal life of Matthew Flinders, the man who was the first to circumnavigate Australia and chart  its   entire coastline.

 The action is mostly set in Mauritius, a French colony known as Île de France, where    Flinders was detained for 6½ years while on his voyage back to England.  During the course of the play there are several changes in time and place, particularly as Matthew’s thoughts return to his wife Ann in England.

 Navigating Flinders is an important play because it brings us close to the man who made a major contribution to modern Australia – literally putting Australia on the map.  It has the drama of Flinders’ imprisonment, his relationships on Mauritius and their conflict with his relationships back home.

 It is an excellent play for school use: it allows students to develop characters in depth and to develop the dramatic tension in the story. It also has a relatively large cast which provides parts for up to 12  students

 Navigating Flinders was written by Don Reid, a founding member of the Ensemble Theatre, who has performed in and directed numerous stage productions, and made many appearances on television and film.

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