Our Country's Good
Timberlake Wertenbaker
based on the novel by Thomas Keneally
Directed by Ruth Readshaw
Venue: Old Fire Station
Date: Monday 1 (Preview) – Saturday 6 November
Time: 7.30pm (& Saturday 2.30pm)
Price: £12, £14, £16 (Monday Preview £10)
How to book your tickets
“The last word will be the play…”
The first penal colony in Australia forms the dramatic backdrop to Timberlake Wertenbaker’s modern classic about the redemptive quality of theatre, Our Country’s Good.
Britain began transporting its poor and petty criminals to Botany Bay in 1788 under the governorship of Captain Arthur Phillip. Based on a real historical figure, it was he who decided to introduce the brutalized men and women to culture in the form of rehearsing and performing the most popular play of its day, Farquhar’s The Recruiting Officer.
We follow the lives of these wretched creatures, many of whom are also based on real convicts, as they bicker, fight, love and yearn for home in this new land. The action is observed by an Australian Aboriginal as he witnesses the arrival of the colonizers and the destruction of his people’s way of life.
Cast
An Australian Aboriginal Nikhil Sharma
Convicts
John Arscott Ian Nutt
Mary Brenham Rachael Twyford
Dabby Bryant Anna Clark
Black Caesar Nikhil Sharma
James ‘Ketch’ Freeman Tom Hare-Duke
Meg Long Moya Hughes
Liz Morden Joy Shorten
Robert Sideway Paul Clifford
Duckling Smith Ellen Publicover
John Wisehammer Richard Readshaw
Crew
Director Ruth Readshaw
Musical Director and Sound Design Jeannie Harrison
Stage Manager Gail Pittam
Lighting Design Will Penington
Officers
Captain Arthur Phillip, RN Richard Readshaw
Major Robbie Ross, RM Tom Hare-Duke
Captain David Collins, RM Paul Clifford
Captain Watkin Tench, RM Ellen Publicover
Captain Jemmy Campbell, RM Moya Hughes
Reverend Johnson Rachael Twyford
Lieutenant Will Dawes, RM Joy Shorten
Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark, RM Niall McDaid
Second Lieutenant William Faddy, RM Anna Clark
Midshipman Harry Brewer, RN Ian Nutt
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