Our Country’s Good
Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker
Based on the novel The Playmaker by Thomas Keneally
Directed by Chrissie Garrett
“Spewed from our country, forgotten, bound to the dark edge of the earth…”
A ship, sailing 15,000 miles to Australia, is crammed with Britain’s convicts – a punishment for their crimes. After a life-threatening voyage they finally arrive in 1788. But keeping the colony disciplined is a brutal job, and cruelty is rife. To keep the convicts in line and attempt to ‘civilise’ this often desperate, violent, poverty stricken group, a young ambitious lieutenant, Ralph Clark, decides they should perform a play.
With a mostly illiterate cast, rising mistrust amongst the ranks, and the leading actor facing the gallows, this is a one-of-a-kind theatre production…
Based on the extraordinary true story of the British Empire’s most remote penal colony, and with deportation as punishment more relevant than ever before, the play takes on new meaning in 2024. Our Country’s Good is a thought-provoking and powerful tale of hope, humanity, justice, and the redemptive power of art.
Note: This production is unsuitable for under 14s and features very strong language and themes of cruelty and exploitation.
This amateur production by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd
The Cast is as follows
Arthur Philip – Andy Parsons
Ralph Clark – Richard Morris
John Wisehammer – Philip Fine
Robbie Ross – Bruce Walton
Ketch – Martin Crook
David Collins – Jem Turner
Sideway – Ian Nutt
Tench – Stephen Rouse
Caesar – Suchit Kulkaini
Harry Brewer – Phil Wintle
John Arscott – Robert Hoare
Rev Johnson – Andrew Whiffin
William Faddy – Arthur Stewart-Turner
Jemmy Campbell – Nik Lester
Liz Morden – Hilary Beaton
Mary Brenham – Emily England
Duckling – Hannah Ramsden
Dabby – Helen Williams
Meg Long – Janice Lake
Director: Chrissie Garrett
Production Manager: Jane Shanahan
Stage Manager: Amy Crook
Set: Richard Ashby
Costumes: Jane Shanahan
Props: Terry Andrews
Lighting: Clare Lester + Mill
Sound: Robin Williams
Band: Jim Plester, Dave Lovick
Ian Gow, John Wright