Our Country's Good

Our Country’s Good is a play by Timberlake Wertenbaker based on Thomas Kenealy’s novel The Playmaker. It is inspired by a true story (based on documented events) of the historical events surrounding the first transportation of British convicts to Australia in the 18th. Century and of the problems facing both the convicts and the officers in this first penal colony. There are two different points of view as to how to treat the prisoners, those who want to employ harsh discipline and those, such as the Governor, who desire a more human approach. 

There is no stage at the Centre and the play was enacted in ‘the round’ as it were, with tiered seating on one side and two rows of seating facing it, with the performance area in between. The many scenarios were depicted by cast members walking on holding placards telling of the nature of the upcoming scene and showing it first to one side of the audience and then turning to face the other side. There was a Gallows to one side, a central small raised dais, and props were used to intimate the actions of the various happenings - a good imagination was a definite plus!! 

First we encounter prisoners on the ship and heard the sounds of flogging and screaming as they terrifyingly speak about what lies ahead. In Sydney, Captain Arthur Phillip, designated to be the Governor of the penal colony, was well played by Lewis Hancock. He definitely had the air of authority and wanted to develop a more empathetic approach towards the convicts and when told that the convicts consider hanging to be ‘entertainment’ he suggests that they should perhaps put on a play, but then went on to order the hanging of three prisoners who have been convicted of stealing food!! The man chosen to direct the play was Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark who was superbly played by Huw Randall. He is very ambitious man believing that this might curry favour with Captain Philip so agrees, and chooses the play, ‘The Recruiting Officer’. The auditions for the play were quite revealing and Huw handles the situation and ensuing situations with great aplomb and needless to say quite a great deal of diplomacy as he grapples with the frustrations afforded by this most difficult of casts especially as he states in pure exasperation, “People who can’t pay attention shouldn’t go to the theatre”. There is much debate between the Officers about whether or not the play should be allowed to continue and even at one point, following a disturbance at rehearsals that leads to many being imprisoned and later appearing with their hands shackled, Ralph himself wants to put a stop to the play but is convinced to continue by Captain Phillip. He tries to stay loyal to his wife but eventually has a quite lovely ‘dalliance’ with Mary, one of the convicts. Playing the two roles of Robert Sideway and Captain David Collins was Fred Rolland and he totally captured the two very different characters. Firstly as Collins, who was chosen to be the Judge at the colony, he fulfilled this role quite stridently believing that he must uphold the judicial system and the practice of execution but did try to help Liz by encouraging her to tell the truth about her stealing. As Robert Sideway, who claims to be a gentleman and an actor but is a pick-pocket by profession, his melodramatic gesticulations as he delivered his lines were just hilarious. Peter Wilmot doubled up as Midshipman Harry Brewer and John Wisehammer. He gave a very convincing and powerfully, moving portrayal as Harry Brewer who has a relationship with convict Duckling Smith. He is quite possessive and jealous of her other lovers, in particular of Handy Baker as he played a part in his execution and following this, Duckling becomes quite cold towards him. He tries to sort this by encouraging her to take part in the play. Harry is tormented by the ghost of Handy and the others he helped hang and he portrays the haunting of these ghosts with great emotion and fervour which eventually play a large part in leading to his death. As Wisehammer he so naturally brought out the intellectual capabilities of the character, with added comedic elements, however his prologue for the play was deemed to be too political. Chris Gale played the two roles of Major Robbie Ross and that of John Arscott. As Ross, he was truly superb totally capturing the nasty, sadistic attitude towards the convicts and even displaying his annoyance to his fellow officers at the thought of any kind of conciliatory actions towards them, he was so against the performance of the play and does whatever he feels necessary to interfere with rehearsals. Quite the opposite in nature to Ross, was that of John Arscott and Chris submerged himself in this interpretation so well. He, along with others, tried to escape but was re-captured and he so naively tried to explain why he couldn’t find his way because he had been given a compass, but then it was pointed out to him that it was just a piece of paper with North written on it . Playing three roles was Vitalis Waweru. Firstly he excelled as Captain Watkin Tench who also believed that convicts cannot be reformed only punished and along with Ross was totally against the play. Secondly as Caesar, quite a mild character who so wanted to be in the play declaring that he will just be a servant, and lastly giving great support as the The Aborigine who appears at moments throughout, to relate how the indigenous population viewed the newcomers. James Taylor was perfect as convict Ketch Freeman who accepted the part of the Hangman instead of being executed but because of this was alienated from his fellow convicts. He pleads with Ralph to let him be in the play and at first the other cast members refuse to act with him but eventually accept him. He also gave good support as Reverend Johnson. Rachel Wilson was quite delightful as convict Mary Brenham. Mary is rather shy and quiet but blossoms as rehearsals continue one reason being that she can read, so finds herself helping other cast members learn their lines also she has a heartwarming romance with Ralph. Jo Petch was excellent as Liz Morden, a very forthright, outspoken and matter-of-fact convict. Cast as one of the ‘Ladies’ in the play, she explains that her only connection with them was hearing their screams as she robbed them. A fine performance came from Kate Stuart as convict Dabby Bryant. She is a close friend of Mary but opposite in character as she is quite loud and crude but is persuaded not to escape during the play as this will have ramifications for everyone else. As Duckling Smith, Tess Edmonds was super. The scene when she is desperately trying to rouse Harry telling him ‘that if he lives she will love him, but if he dies she will hate him’ was heart-rending. There was a most effective and moving ending to the production when the whole cast stood next to each other in a long line with one facing one way and one the other, then each turn, and sing ‘We left our country for our country’s good’.

The costumes, sound effects and props were all splendid. I do hope that I have remembered significantly enough about the play but to do it true justice I feel that it is one that you have to see more than once, mainly because of the many twists and turns and complex situations, not always helped by the doubling up of characters. 

Many congratulations to Director Maggie Ford, to Production Manager Rachel Wilson, to the Backstage Crew and to everyone else involved, but especially to the wonderfully talented cast, each and everyone of them playing their respective roles so brilliantly, which definitely assisted my understanding and appreciation of this most dramatic, insightful and thought provoking play which was so effectively executed (sorry). Many thanks also for the warm reception that I received. The company are raising money from this production for Rideout, Creative Arts for Rehabilitation charity.

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