Our Country’s Good

Published Tuesday 23 September 2008 at 19:20 by Julie Watterston

A tumultuous array of deep-set emotions envelops this production, with passion and desperation riding high amongst a plethora of human moods.

The hopelessness of the convicts transported to Australia’s penal colony is in sharp and poignant contrast to the comedic production of The Recruiting Officer which they are conscripted to perform in this play within a play. It is to the credit of the cast at the Watermill and director Alex Clifton that these emotions ride a tidal wave which makes the audience laugh and then within seconds brings it down to a much darker and sombre mood.

Momentarily the production starts off with a modicum of confusion as Jason Baughan sings a moving melody which is hard to hear above the entrances of other characters, the lashing of a prisoner and the general atmospherics of the opening scene. Later however the solos are heart-rending and tragic, including Ruth Everett as Duckling singing about Botany Bay.

Tanya Franks has probably the play’s most enviable role for an actress as the hardened and rough Liz Morden. With the barriers of self-preservation locked firmly shut, Liz risks hanging and hatred to maintain her dignity and it is when a glimmer of humanity is seen through her physical and mental barricades that Franks has the ability to turn the moment into a theatrical and emotional cliffhanger.

Orlando Wells plays a good contrasting role as Lieutenant Ralph Clark with an air of naivety and determination, and Simon Thorp doubles well as the Governor and convict Wisehammer.

Alexandra Maher is the literate convict Mary Brenham, Tonya Smith is the lively and outspoken Dabby Bryant, John Cummins is the theatrical Sideway with Rex Obano as the aboriginal Australian and black convict Caesar. Paul Lloyd doubles as Ketch and Lieutenant Robbie Ross, in whose character he captures horrifying misuse of power.