'Our Country's Good' National Theatre, Olivier ****

When the first convoy of British miscreants were sent to Australia in 1788, so that they never returned, could we ever change our insights where you will sympathise with the prisoners compared to the soldiers who are watching them like a hawk? The National Theatre’s production of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s play, ‘Our Country’s Good’ permits us to side with the convicts in such a sparkling way, as well as, the delineations were gratifyingly conveyed.  

‘Our Country’s Good’ is set in aboriginal Sydney, Australia, 1788 where the very first cluster of English exiles have just arrived to their new home, where they will remain for the rest of their lives. Governor Arthur Phillip (Cyril Nri), Captain David Collins (Jonathan Coote), Captain William Trench (Jonathan Livingstone) and Midshipman Harry Brewer (Paul Kaye) contemplate whether the purpose of the prison would either punish or to re-educate the inmates. One idea is that hanging could be considered as entertainment for the soldiers, but Phillip thinks there’s another alternative for this and this is for the convicts to put on a play. When Harry Brewer who is inundated with guilt as he has hanged a man who was a love rival to Duckling Smith (Shalisha James-Davis), who is a prisoner; as soon as he comes into contact with Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark he informs Ralph of the Governor’s plans. Ralph jumps at the chance to be the director of the production and the play he has chosen is George Farquhar’s, ‘The Recruiting Officer’. A number of the convicts who have decided to audition are unable to read, but the shy Mary Brenham is a fluent reader and acts out the part of Silvia quite well. However, Meg Long (Debra Penny), Robert Sideway (Lee Ross), Dabby Bryant (Ashley McGuire) and the ever so frightening Liz Madden cannot read so Mary has to help them understand their lines and for the people to actually work nicely. Over the course of the performance, the rehearsals develop from a threatening environment to one where they will get on with what is required to present a good-standard of performance as the prisoners are enjoying what they are doing.  Sadly things do according to plan as two actors, Cable and Arscott have escaped from the prison.  The guards arrest Liz and fellow convict, John Wisehammer (Matthew Cottle) for their apparent involvement in a “so called” crime where food has been stolen. The prisoners and Ralph are stunned that Liz is to be sentenced to death for stealing the food; on the other hand, she could be spared the death penalty if she informs who actually stole the food. Nonetheless, Liz refuses to do so as it’s a code between the convicts.  This soon causes problems with the plays progression as Liz plays a vital role in the play and the company as a whole, thankfully, Phillip believes that there is a lack of appropriate evidence for Liz’s death and as she speaks finally the case is dropped and she can return to her role in the play. At the finale, as the acting company of, ‘The Recruiting Officer’ are about to perform in front of hundreds of soldiers the prisoners reflect on their home land and how their new home can really rehabilitate themselves into well-mannered people. Wertenbaker’s narrative is superb as there is such historical, political and social contents that unravel in this piece in such a fine manner where we can see how the Aborigines such as The Aborigine (Gary Wood) and other’s deal with this change.

One found the performances by the company of, ‘Our Country’s Good’ to be extremely likable with brilliant choreography by Arthur Pita and impressive Vocal Work by Kate Waters and Dialect Coaching by Jeanette Nelson. Jason Hughes is wonderful as Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark; especially when you see his determination flourish through his compassion to show the positives of the convicts in an optimistic light and the emerging relationship with Mary shows how couplings can develop from opposing sides.  Caoilfhionn Dunne is excellent as reserved, Mary Brenham; specifically how her patience with the less than calm and collected lawbreakers leads you to think how such a shy and reserved person can develop into someone so confident and helpful and this is because of drama. Jodie McNee is stunning as scary, Liz Morden; chiefly how at first she is not the most pleasant of individuals soon softens when she discovers her talent in the performance of, ‘The Recruiting Officer’, plus when she is given her death penalty we are emotionally moved with her at her peril. 

Nadia Fall’s direction is fantastic here as she has touched on a thought-provoking but stimulating subject where you begin to feel who is exactly in the right and who is in the wrong and what the arrivals of the lowlifes will impact on the comfort of the aborigine’s freedom to do what they want on their land. Peter McKintosh’s design is incredible as we are transformed to the untouched land of 18^th Century Australia and what the impact of the English has made to this unharmed country, plus the use of the drum was remarkably included. Well done to Cerys Matthews for her inauguration with a lovely score and amazing collaborations with stupendous Sound Designer, Carolyn Downing, brilliant. Overall, the experience of, ‘Our Country’s Good’ was a very entrancing and historical show that educates people into how Australia and Britain began its commonwealth.