On the 25th of September 2024, I went to see a production of “Our Country’s Good” at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.
 

Written by Timberlake Wertenbaker in 1988 and based upon the novel “The Playmaker” by Thomas Keneally, “Our Country’s Good” follows a group of English convicts who have been transported to the the penal colony of Australia.

“Our County’s Good” offers a political and social comment on the morality of using deportation as punishment as well as the effects of the British colony on the Australian landscape and indigenous communities who lived there and continue too to this day.

To prove that they are civilised, soul bearing people the convicts decide to put on a play whilst at the colony.

As the subsequent rehearsals continue the audience are able to witness the transformative effect of theatre through the impact the play has on each of the individual characters.

One of the key moments during the performance that particularly stood out to me was the portrayal of the opening night of the convicts play within a play.

A fly, consisting of a washing line with multiple sheets draped over it, descended onto the stage creating the backdrop for the convicts play.

The sheet hanging over the centre of the washing line interestingly had the Union Jack flag printed on it reflecting the convict's pride for their home country.

I found this ironic as it was their home country that had decided to deport them initially.
 

This irony is emphasised in the line “we left our country, for our county’s good” delivered by the actor who was playing the character of Robert Sideways.

This line also compels audience members to reflect upon their own views of using deportation as punishment, perhaps encouraging them to feel increased sympathy with the convicts and the horrific situation they have been put in by their very own country.

Another key scene from the play which really stood out to me, engaging me emotionally, was the moment where the convict Liz Mordent is being measured up in preparation for her imminent hanging.

The character of Mordent is there to showcase the prejudice and corrupt nature of the British justice system in the 1780s.

As well as illustrating the transformative effect of theatre, as the audience members see Mordent’s dedication to the play within a play increase throughout the performance to the point where her final wish is to perform it before her hanging.

Overall, I would rate “Our Country’s good” at 4 out of 5 stars.

It makes a powerful political comment on the morality of using deportation as a punishment whilst also focusing on the rehabilitative effects of theatre on the most vulnerable people, broken by their unfair society.

This play excels at challenging viewpoints whilst being exciting to watch and emotionally engaging.