COFFIN SHIP
Written by Bryn Sparks
Directed by Dan Bain
Produced by Bryn Sparks and Noosed Octopus
Sound Design by Dan Bain
Lighting Design and live show operation by James Shera
Costumes by Malthouse Costumes and the cast.
Starring
Caitlin Penhey as Molly
Lucy Sparks as Aoifé
Sebastian Boyle as Colm
AUTHOR'S NOTE
In 1845, the Irish famine began—not as an unavoidable catastrophe, but as the direct result of colonial policy. While millions starved, grain and livestock continued to be exported from Ireland to England. In the years that followed, over a million people died, and another million were forced to leave their homeland, many in chains aboard prison ships.
The prison ship Tory was one such vessel. Among its passengers was Sarah Sparkes née Fox/Bell, a woman transported to Van Diemen’s Land for stealing 8 shillings sixpence. She was 25 years old. She was also my great-great-great-grandmother.
Coffin Ship is dedicated to her memory—and to the countless other women whose stories history has tried to forget.
- Bryn Sparks
CAST AND CREW
DAN BAIN - DIRECTOR/SOUND DESIGNER
Dan has been a theatre director, playwright, improvisor, street performer, actor, motivational speaker, comedian, and has somehow become “one of Aotearoa’s most experienced theatre practitioners” (RNZ), since graduating from clown school in 2001. He co-created cult improv sensations Perfuct Storm and Improv Seduction and is the creator of the bafflingly popular sleep-aid podcast Dan Bain’s Sleepy Time Mumbles. As a standup his comedy reflects his unique perspective and cheerful vulgarity, all filtered through his desperate attempts to appear clever.
His theatre directing credits include Titus Andronicus, Stephen King’s Misery, Ideation, and Murder on the Orient Express for The Court Theatre, Around the World in 80 Days and The Odyssey for CCC Summer Theatre, and Cancel Santa and O Little Town of Beckenham for Little Andromeda.
BRYN SPARKS - PLAYWRIGHT
Dr Bryn Sparks is a speculative fiction SF/horror short story writer from Linwood, Christchurch. He is a Stoker Award finalist (losing to Stephen King), Pushcart Prize nominee, and a three time finalist in L Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future award. 'Coffin Ship' marks his first sole-authored stage play, adapted from his short story "Whiskey in the Jar" first published in horror magazine as "Aoife's Kiss" (2004).
CAITLIN PENHEY - MOLLY
Originally from Ōtepoti, Caitlin moved to Ōtautahi to study at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (2022). Since graduating, she has been on three school tours with New Zealand Playhouse (2023-2025), performed in numerous festivals as a bumbling clown-mime (Caterpillars 2024, 2025), and has performed in countless improvised shows in Aotearoa and Australia (Scared Scriptless, NZIF, Maestro with Impro Melbourne). Currently, Caitlin is spending her days as the interim Producer for the Court Jesters, the Court Theatre’s improv troupe. She likes to perform as often as she can, and avoids boats as much as possible! Despite this she feels so blessed to be a part of Coffin Ship.
LUCY SPARKS - AOIFÉ
Lucy has been involved in Coffin Ship since its conception and is delighted to now be sharing this show with an audience. Lucy was born and raised in Ōtautahi and has loved performing since gaining sentience. Lucy graduated from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts in 2022 and since then, has written and performed I Cannot Give Hugs (2023) and competed in various salsa dancing competitions around NZ. Currently Lucy spends her time practicing and teaching yoga, dancing, and thinking up more ghoulish, horror theatre to share with Aotearoa.
SEBASTIAN BOYLE - COLM
Seb has circulated amongst a number of Christchurch theatre companies over the past fifteen years, including appearances for MUSOC (The Producers, Little Shop, The Sinnerman), DramaSoc (Around the World in 80 Days, Lady Windermere’s Fan), Repertory (A Streetcar Named Desire, Richard III), Canterbury Children’s Theatre, Elmwood Players (The Dumb Waiter), and Top Dog (Hamlet). He is perhaps the only actor in the greater Christchurch area to have played noted heroes Batman, Superman, and Ernest Rutherford professionally, all in the same week. Later in November he can be seen in Repertory’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. He hopes you have the day you deserve.
Show photos by Criss Grueber