Our Country's Good

By Timberlake Wertenbaker

Directed by Rod Holliman

As presented at the Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Dean Close school on Saturday 22nd July 2006

with later dates at The Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham, from Thurs 14th - Sat 16th September 2006

7.45pm each night

2.30pm matinee on Saturday 16th September

 

  

 

 

On the 18th of January, 1788 the first fleet of British prison ships, under the command of Arthur Phillip, arrive at Botany Bay in New South Wales, Australia and soon settle up the coast at Port Jackson, the site of current-day Sydney.

Many of the prisoners have been convicted of minor theft (stealing a loaf of bread was crime enough to earn deportation) and many of their wardens are military men who fought and lost the war against the American colonies.  There is a sense that they have all of them been condemned: to the task of founding a self-sustaining colony in a land where farming is difficult, disease is rampant, the labourers unwilling and the aboriginal population often hostile. 

At a time of extremely low supplies and low hopes, with the future of the colony in question, 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Clark decides to stage a production of George Farquhar's comedy "The Recruiting Officer" using convicts, many of them illiterate, as his cast.  His intention is not only to raise morale but also make a favourable impression upon his superiors and secure a promotion.  The project immediately takes on political dimensions and meets with opposition among the other officers. 

As his opening night nears Clark struggles to ready the play amidst a storm of questions about the possibility of redemption and the transforming powers of theatre.

Winner of the Laurence Olivier Play of the year Award in 1988, this funny and warm piece shows the value of theatre as a redemptive force.

 

Deep End Theatre Company’s next production is a thought provoking but above all true story of the first play ever to be staged in Australia - in 1789, with a cast of convicts, including a leading lady who may be about to be hanged.

"Rarely has the redemptive, transcendental power of theatre been argued with such eloquence and passion."

The first viewing of "Our Country's Good" took place at the Tuckwell Open Air Amphitheatre on Saturday 22nd July.  It had been a week of glorious weather, until the Saturday afternoon when the heavens opened!  Director Rod Holliman continues the story:

"It all went very well in the end.  We had just got all the props in place ready to start the dress rehearsal on the stage at about 1.30 pm when the rain started.  At first we thought it would pass quickly but then it got heavier, and heavier, as we were sheltering under trees.  Finally, when we were pretty soaked, we found the pavilion was open so we went in there and steamed gently while the rain stopped.

We piled out to do a dress rehearsal without costume, if you see what I mean, but the rain started again.  We then shoved props, costumes and cast into the back of all the cars and drove over to the Bacon, where we completed a dress dress rehearsal.  By which time it was 5.30, the sun was shining, and the audience were due to start their picnics, so we shoved everything back in the cars, and back to the Tuckwell.  The show went really well in the end, especially considering it was the first time on that stage.  We sold 143 tickets and we have made about £240 which stands us in good stead for September.

Performing on the Bacon's bare stage showed that setting the play on the Playhouse stage will look really good.  Martin will provide some atmospheric lighting, and we'll have more sound effects, so it'll be a good show."

 

CAST LIST

Soldiers

Capt Arthur Phillip – Governor of the Colony

Major Robbie Ross – “Without exception the most disagreeable Commanding Officer I ever knew” - in the opinion of one of his subordinates

Capt David Collins – Marine, educated, appointed Judge Advocate despite having no training

Capt Watkin Tench – Career soldier, whose diaries provide much of the historical material for the play

Capt Jemmy Campbell – Inarticulate, “unable to think beyond a limited range of military experience”

2nd Lieut Ralph Clark – young lieutenant whose idea it is to perform the play. A central role

Rev Johnson – The Colony’s Padre

Lieut George Johnston, Lieut Will Dawes, 2nd Lieut William Faddy – small parts in one scene only

Midshipman Harry Brewer – Young, destroyed by jealousy and guilt over the hanging of a convict, Handy Baker

 

The Convicts

John Wisehammer – Jewish, articulate, convicted of stealing a packet of snuff from an apothecary’s counter. Transported for seven years

Ketch Freeman – Irish. Earnest, became the colony’s hangman, so was (understandably) fairly unpopular

Robert Sideway – A histrionic actor, who went on to open the first Playhouse on the Australian continent

Black Caesar – Of Negro descent.

John Arscott – Sentenced to 150 lashes for assaulting an officer

Mary Brenham –Very quiet and shy at first, but blossoms during rehearsals, falls in love with Ralph Clark, and in later life has his child

Meg Long – aka Shitty Meg. Enough said!

Liz Morden – Londoner, transported seven years for stealing a handkerchief. Has the best speech in the play

Duckling Smith – Young mistress of Harry Brewer. Has the second best speech in the play

Dabby Bryant – Spirited, self assured, resourceful. From Devon, transported seven years for stealing a cloak. Escaped after three years in an open boat with her husband, two children, and seven other convicts, sailed 3500 miles to East Timor, eventually returned to England, was pardoned, and lived to a ripe old age in obscurity.

An Aborigine – Only four speeches. Would help if he could also play the didgeridoo.