NSTC Production Archive: "Our Country's Good" April 2004

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Our Country's Good
Written by: Timberlake Wertenbaker Directed by: Richard Frampton and Giles Checkley Performed: 21st-24th April 2004 at St. Anne's Hall, Wandsworth
Cast		Crew
Captain Arthur Phillip, RN......................... Major Robbie Ross, RM............................. Captain David Collins, RM......................... Captain Watkin Tench, RM....................... Captain Jemmy Campbell, RM................ Reverend Johnson..................................... Lieutenant George Johnston, RM........... Lieutenant Will Dawes, RM...................... Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark, RM...... Second Lieutenant William Faddy, RM.. Midshipman Harry Brewer, RN............... An Aboriginal Australian John Arscott................................................ Caesar........................................................... Ketch Freeman........................................... Robert Sideway........................................... John Wisehammer.................................... Mary Brenham............................................. Meg Long ..................................................... Dabby Bryant............................................... Liz Morden.................................................... Duckling Smith............................................	Ian Pring Jay Cunliffe Daniel Comens Benjamin Ellis Stuart Butler Sally Hudson Rachel Tozer Tracey Childs Mike Ainsworth Orna Joseph Stuart Butler Stuart Butler Benjamin Ellis Jay Cunliffe Daniel Comens Ian Pring Sally Hudson Rachel Tozer Orna Joseph Tracey Childs Rachel Tozer	Producer.......................................... Stage Manager............................... Lighting & Set Design.................... Lighting Operator........................... Sound Design.................................. Sound Operator.............................. Costumes........................................ Make-up........................................... Set Construction............................ Props................................................. Front of House Manager............... Catering Manager.......................... Special Thanks...............................	Emma Dhesi Susan Jones Richard Frampton & Giles Checkley Eamonn O’Reilly Jay Cunliffe Sara Stickland Tracey Childs Nici Huck & Tracey Childs Paul Checkley & Members Zoe Andrews Mark Stannett Diane Lane Malsar Kest Catering Wholesalers Gradav Theatre Services South London Theatre The Brewers Inn

Synopsis

At the Sydney Cove penal colony in 1789, a young lieutenant directs rehearsals of the Restoration comedy "The Recruiting Officer", the first play ever to be staged in Australia. With only two copies of the text, a cast of convicts, opposition from sadistic officers, and one leading lady about to be hanged, the production is in trouble from the start...

Based on an historical incident and on Thomas Keneally's novel "The Playmaker", Timberlake Wertenbaker's inspirational play, despite it's historical setting, explores issues relevant to society today - along with the liberating effect that the prisoners' production has on those involved.

Now recognised as a modern classic, and an A-level set text, it was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre, London in 1988, winning the Laurence Olivier Award that year.

NODA Review
The company provided an enjoyable evening's entertainment telling the story of the difficulties facing both the convicts and the officers in the first Australian penal colony established in 1788. Timberlake Wertenbaker’s play is a powerful piece of drama depicting the attempts of The Governor to bring a degree of civilisation to the colony through the vehicle of a play to be performed by some of the convicts under the direction of one of his junior officers. [more]

Production Photos (Click to enlarge)

View the poster here

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