The misfits of Botany Bay are about to return to the West End stage later this year with a new production of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Our Country’s Good. Coming to London’s National Theatre at the end of summer 2015, it’s set to be a new take on the 1988 original, which first premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, telling the true story of the very early days of the penal colony.
In addition to reviving the play, it will also be Cerys Matthews’ debut composing for the stage as she tries her hand at the world of theatre having conquered the radio airwaves already with her music and DJ skills. We’re not sure how much her time with Catatonia, duet with Tom Jones or efforts on BBC 6 Music will benefit her in writing the music for Our Country’s Good, but it’ll be interesting to hear how to adapts to the peculiarities of theatre.
Dates
The play is scheduled to preview at the National Theatre from the 19th August 2015 to the press night on the 26th August. The full run starts on the 27th and continues on until the 17th October 2015. Show times will be at 7:30pm between Monday and Saturday for the evening performances and 2pm for the ad hoc mix of Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday matinees. Ticket prices are £15, £25 and £35.
Story
The plot tells the story of the first consignment of convicts arriving in Australia’s Botany Bay in 1788. With so much distance between the colony and the Empire’s homeland back in the northern hemisphere, discipline is strictly adhered to in order to maintain control of England’s bedraggled cast-offs. However, when three proposed public hangings bring things to a head, a new way is proposed to keep things from descending into anarchy or brutal retribution.
The new idea from the prison’s governor to bring everyone together to produce a play is swooped upon by Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark, who’s got his eye on service progression if all goes to plan. Just as Shakespearean tragedies set out to transform audiences through catharsis, the play is intended to transform the criminals into better men, despite their illiteracy and difficulty learning lines. It’s not just the shackled prisoners that become swept up in the unity of the operation, as the Second Lieutenant goes through his own metamorphosis as the story builds to culminations and applause.
Cast
The relatively down-to-earth cast is made up of Jonathan Coote, Matthew Cottle (Man Down), Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Caoilfhionn Dunne (Wrath Of The Titans), Peter Forbes, Jason Hughes, Ellie James, Shalisha James-Davis, Paul Kaye (Pan), Ashley McGuire (Man Down), Graeme McKnight (Mr Selfridge), Jodie McNee, David Mara, Tadhg Murphy, Cyril Nri and Debra Penny.
Production
Our Country’s Good is being directed by Nadia Fall at the National Theatre, building on her previous work on the the West End transfer of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time. Design is by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Neil Austin (The Captain of Köpenick), choreography by Arthur Pita and sound design from Carolyn Downing (Collider exhibition). Welsh singer, songwriter and DJ Cerys Matthews takes her first steps into theatre with her debut as composer for the play.
In addition to the two month run of performances, there will also be three speaker events to look forward to. The first, Bound For Australia, sees Michael Lobban, Professor of Legal History at London School of Economics, and Deborah Oxley, Professor of Social Science History at All Souls Oxford, discuss the convicts on the First Fleet in 1787 on Wednesday 30th September at 6pm; director Nadia Fall and playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker talk about the play on Tuesday 6 October at 6pm; and In Context: Our Country’s Good will explore the creation of the play, the history behind it and the themes that is explores with Max Stafford-Clark, who directed the original production, and Dr Sophie Bush who wrote The Theatre of Timberlake Wertenbaker.
First impressions
The production sounds interesting, especially with the addition of Cerys Matthews to the creative mix behind it, so it’s one to look out for if you’re planning a West End trip. It’s sure to be a charged performance with grim reality alongside the hope and unity that art in itself can provide. The cast is skilled despite the lack of many recognisable names, so it could be a good opportunity to see some up and coming young talent.
