The Fitzcarraldo is not your average ferry.

Her ropes are heaved and her decks scrubbed by a group of actors, her captain is as adept at rigging lighting as flying sails, and, once you step on to the gangplank, she'll take you on a journey into magical other worlds.

Britain's only Theatre Ship, the Norwegian ferry has travelled the world with its unique blend of low-tech, visually inventive family entertainment.

And now, 13 years after Walk The Plank dropped anchor here for their firstever performance, the crew are sailing back to Brighton to present a play full of music, puppetry and powercrazed parrots.

Like previous shows Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea and Moby Dick, Noah's Ark puts a contemporary twist on a seafaring legend.

The cats are hissing, the dogs are barking, food is running out and a parrot is plotting infamy.

Left in control of the helm, Noah's grandchild, Francis, finds herself tangled up in the chains of evolution.

Only she can avert disaster and fulfil Noah's plans for survival.

Full of flooding and feuding, this dynamic play will visit 40 ports and harbours over the next two years.

But before they set sail, the ship will take part in the Big Splash celebrations, forming the centrepiece for a spectacular fireworks finale around the Marina on Sunday at 10pm.

Starts 7.30pm, with Saturday matinee. Tickets cost £9/6, call 01273 709709.