Sara freeman examines how wertenbaker uses the structure of a play within a play to explore themes of colonialism, authority, transgression and the power of narrative. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one. Lighting design for utah state universitys production of our countrys good. The story concerns a group of royal marines and convicts in a penal colony in new south wales, in the 1780s, who put on a production of the recruiting officer it was first staged at the royal court theatre, london, on 10 september 1988, directed by max. Allow the students to discover for themselves the effects of different colours what gel. Our countrys good written by timberlake wertenbaker a leading london critic describes it as highly theatrical, often funny and at times dark and disturbing, it sets an infant civilization on the stage with clarity, economy and insight as it relates the true story of the first theatrical performance in australia. In other words, the way they play constantly invites the audience to reflect on the fundamental social and political issues of authority, justice, class, gender and race rather than encouraging uncritical emotional. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of our countrys good by timberlake wertenbaker. Our countrys good works the sweathog scenario rather nicely, all in alloffering a little originality, a little melodrama, a little inspiration, a bracing spritz of mud and blood and semen. Alastair muir wertenbakers play, based on a novel by thomas.
Winner of the laurence olivier play of the year award in 1988, and many other major awards, our countrys good premiered at the royal court. A brilliant story about the redemptive power of theatre it is perfect for students. It premiered at the royal court theatre, london, in 1988, winning. Delivery guide for ocr asa level english language and.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Our countrys good ubc library university of british columbia. Our countrys good continues through february 22nd at theater wit, 1229 w. Many of the characters in the play engage in sexual affairs, but very few actually achieve true love. The best study guide to our countrys good on the planet, from the creators of sparknotes. In our countrys good, wertenbaker suggests that successful romantic relationships rely upon equal power dynamics.
Explore how contextual understanding can shape the portrayal and reception of characters language, relationships and concerns in the play. A video to introduce the characters and the story of our countrys good. Here are ways in which we can help you make the most of the play. This is because most of the convicts use their sexuality as leverage, having sex with guards in exchange for special treatment. Gary wood as the tribesman who echoes the drama in our countrys good. The times, london the guardian critic writes our countrys good is a triumph. Sara freeman examines how wertenbaker uses the structure of a play within a play to explore themes of. Sparkling short play script of the brothers grimm tale for ks2 performance. While trying to find the best way to keep imprisoned convicts in line, a. The greeks believed that it was a citizens duty to watch a play. Our first year students read just mercy over the summer, and discussions about criminal justice systems were part of the curriculum this semester, and this brought 18th century british crime and punishment and redemption to the conversation. Belmont, with performances thursdayssaturdays at 8pm, sundays 3pm. Dabby bryant character analysis in our countrys good.
It premiered at the royal court theatre, london, in 1988, winning the laurence olivier play of. Our countrys good, by timberlake wertenbaker, is a play that begins in. Observed by a lone, mystified aboriginal australian, the first convict ship arrives in botany bay, 1788, crammed with englands outcasts. A profoundly humane piece of theatre, steeped in suffering yet charged with hope, timberlake wertenbakers our countrys good based on a true story celebrates the redemptive power of art. Based on the novel the playmaker by thomas keneally thus far in regards to the book weve our countrys good. Timberlake wertenbaker quotes author of our countrys good.
It was a kind of work in that it required attention, judgement, patience, all the social virtues. Directed by adrianne moore, with scenic design by rufus zaejodaeus, technical direction by matt stowe, costume design by nancy hills, and lighting design by milinda weeks. The aborigine proves to be a crucial character to the exploration of the theme of dreams and in conveying certain ideas in wertenbakers our countrys good, despite his minor contribution to the plot. An introduction to our countrys good the british library. Our countrys good historical context by al norman on prezi. Our countrys good had opened to acclaim, timberlake wertenbaker received a letter from joe white, one of the convictactors whom she had seen at the scrubs. Our countrys good tells the extraordinary true story of a group of convicts and a young officer who rehearse and perform a play australias first theatrical production. And the greek were conquered by the more practical romans, arthur. Our countrys good is an acclaimed and awardwinning historical drama that provides both passion and humor and a look at the humanizing power of play. Based on the novel the playmaker by thomas kenneally student editions new edition by timberlake wertenbaker, bill naismith isbn. First performed at the royal court in 1988, it was awarded the laurence olivierbbc award for best new play, the new york drama critics circle award for best new foreign play and was nominated for. Based on the novel the playmaker by thomas keneally opinions customers never have but eventually left their particular overview of the game, or you cannot see clearly nevertheless. Our countrys good tells the extraordinary true story of a group of convicts and a young officer who rehearse and. With only two copies of the text, a cast of convicts, and one leading lady who may be about to be hanged, conditions are hardly ideal.
Drama, and selfexpression in general, is a refuge and. Our countrys good insight pack nottingham playhouse. I did this production in college and fell in love with the script and the characters. Our countrys good insights timberlake wertenbaker and the world of the play duration. Our countrys good modern plays timberlake wertenbaker. Manuscript notes for our countrys good the british library. Our countrys good the aborigine by kimberley kaya on prezi. In the early days of the settlement of australia by british prisoners, as supplies grow short and hope dwindles, second lieutenant ralph clark decides to raise morale by staging a comedy, using. Our countrys good is a 1988 play written by british playwright, timberlake wertenbaker, adapted from the thomas keneally novel the playmaker. Our countrys good is at the royal alexandra theatre, 260 king st.
Bag pdf epub download our countrys good by timberlake. Prison is about failure normally, he wrote, and how we are reminded of it each day of every year. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Our countrys good is a 1988 play written by british playwright, timberlake wertenbaker. Our countrys good study guide from litcharts the creators of. Our countrys good is a profoundly delicate play, charged with suffering and pain, but still full of hope. Tes global ltd is registered in england company no 02017289 with its registered office. Our countrys good by timberlake wertenbaker tells the story of members of the british navy and convicts in a penal colony putting on a play in 18thcentury new south wales.
Wertenbakers rich stage adaptation is a moving portrait of the resilience of the human spirit under severe adversity, as well as a heartfelt testament to the power of artistic expression. With opposition from the officers and a leading lady who may be hanged, the odds are stacked against them. While our countrys goodis a modern play in its style epic theatre, it is set in 1789, so it is important to understand the theatre of the time. Indeed, the romans built their bridges, but they also spent many centuries wishing they were greeks. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Prezi s director of product marketing on working from home and finding balance. A young married lieutenant is directing rehearsals of the first play ever to be staged in that country. John arscott a character in our countrys good by timberlake wertenbaker author portrayals. Our countrys good is a touring production made in co. Our countrys goods epic form actually problematises the liberal categories on which the humanistic reading is based. In a production the titles are usually announced or flashed onto a screen.
All i can find is essays on the play, im willing to give positve rep to anyone who can find me a copy. Our countrys good takes place in two acts, each with short scenes that are titled. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Go to or call 4168721212 for tickets and information.
1263 946 470 1116 1043 763 1308 495 1467 1487 198 1470 1218 235 564 1166 640 1421 345 678 136 1438 1047 707 1423 135 1171 966 990 269 1243 488 156 1493 978 183 517 214 1077 310 1283 1362 637 336 931 613 509