‘Our Country’s Good’ at Birmingham Repertory Theatre – May 2018
‘Our Country’s Good’, written by Timberlake Wertenbaker, is a play that follows the colonisation of Australia in New South Wales during the 1780’s. As the prisons in London were overflowing, Britain decided to colonise Australia with convicts as punishment for their crimes. During the late 1800’s (when the play was written) funding to the arts was being cut and disregarded. Wertenbaker wrote ‘Our Country’s Good’ as a response to this in order to present theatre as a redemptive tool as (based on actual events) the convicts put on a production George Farquhar’s, ‘The Recruiting Officer’ that was performed on the King’s birthday on June 4th in 1789.
I went to see ‘Our Country’s Good’ on Thursday the 24th May at the Birmingham Rep Theatre. This performance was particularly special as it was made accessible to anyone who was deaf or blind. There were subtitles displayed either side of the stage with each line being said vocally as well as through sign language. Several of the actors had disabilities and many were deaf themselves, this emphasised the message ‘Our Country’s Good’ instills of the power of theatre and its opportunity to unify and push aside differences. Some actors would speak for others whilst some would sign for others. This element of the play was smoothly and effectively included in the performance as it became a prominent part of the play.
I was very impressed by the every performer on stage, particularly the antagonist, Major Robbie Ross, a sadistic officer who relishes in the suffering of the convicts. During his most significant scene in which he torments the convicts during a rehearsal, the performer portrayed the intensity and terror that is instilled by this character; I was on the edge of my seat! Another scene that was very emotive was the death of Harry Brewer, a Midshipman who goes mad after constructing several hangings. During his death, Duckling (a female convict who is with Harry) tells him of her love for him and begs him to stay alive. In this scene, a separate actress was speaking for Duckling as the actress playing her was deaf. I found it incredibly moving and performed amazingly.
Before going to see ‘Our Country’s Good’ I knew the play very well and was very interested to see how this company would perform it. I was very impressed and felt that all of the performers were amazing and deserve a lot of attention for the work they are doing. I felt they successfully portrayed the characters and the message the play brings about the redemptive power of theatre.