This brand new Lyric production marks the eagerly awaited UK revival of the modern classic based on the extraordinary true story of Australia’s first penal colony. Timberlake Wertenbaker revisits her seminal play, collaborating with consultant Ian Michael, to honor the voice and history of Australia’s First Nations People. With deportation as punishment more relevant than ever before, Our Country’s Good takes on new meaning in 2024, playing at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 05 September – 05 October with press night on 11 September.
The poignant and timely revival continues Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan’s 2024 programming and continues productions she has helmed at the Lyric, including the recent critically-acclaimed productions of Faith Healer and Iphigenia in Splott (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre), of which the latter was voted as The Guardian’s top theatre show of 2022.
Starring in the production are Catrin Aaron as Liz Morden/Lieutenant Will Dawes, Jack Bardoe as John Arscott/Harry Brewer/Captain Jemmy Campbell, Ruby Bentall as Mary Brenham/Reverend Johnson/Meg Long, Nick Fletcher as Robert Sideway/Captain David Colllins, Olivier Huband as Caesar/Captain Watkin Tench, Harry Kershaw as John Wisehammer/Captain Arthur Phillip, Finbar Lynch as Ketch Freeman/Major Robbie Ross, Simon Manyonda as Second Lieutenant Ralph Clarke, Naarah as First Nations Narrator, Aliyah Odoffin as Duckling Smith/Lieutenant George Johnston, and Nicola Stephenson as Dabby Bryant/Second Lieutenant William Faddy.
“Spewed from our country, forgotten, bound to the dark edge of the earth…”
Thomas Barrett: Transported seven years for stealing one ewe sheep.
James Freeman: Transported 14 years for assault on a sailor.
Dorothy Handland: Stole a Biscuit.
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 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…
Our Country’s Good has Set & Costume Design by Gary McCann, Lighting Design by Paul Keogan, Sound Design by Gregory Clarke, Music by Holly Khan, Cultural Consulting by Ian Michael, Casting by Isabella Odoffin CDG, Casting Assisting by Joanna Sturrock, Fight & Intimacy Direction by Bethan Clark, Dialect and Voice Coaching by Joel Trill, , Assistant Direction by Harper K. Hefferon.
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Lyric Square, King Street, London, W6 0QL
Box office: 020 8741 6850
www.lyric.co.uk
Tickets from £10
A Lyric Hammersmith Theatre Production
Our Country’s Good
Written by Timberlake Wertenbaker
Based on the novel The Playmaker by Thomas Keneally
Directed by Rachel O’Riordan
Set & Costume Design by Gary McCann
Lighting Design by Paul Keogan
Sound Design by Gregory Clarke
Music by Holly Khan
Cultural Consulting by Ian Michael
Casting by Isabella Odoffin CDG
Casting Assisting by Joanna Sturrock
Fight & Intimacy Direction by Bethan Clark
Dialect and Voice Coaching by Joel Trill
Assistant Direction by Harper K. Hefferon
Dates: Thursday 05 September – Saturday 05 October 2024
Press Night: Wednesday 11 September, 7pm
Audio Described Performance: Saturday 28 September, 2.30pm
BSL Performance: Monday 30 September, 7.30pm
Open Captioned Performance: Thursday 19 September, 7.30pm
Chilled Environment Performance: Saturday 21 September, 2.30pm
