
Our Country's Good
17th April - 11th May 2019Â
Tobacco Factory Theatres
Cast
Captain Jemmy Campbell/Duckling Smith - Sasha Frost
Captain Watkin Tench/Liz Morden - Kim Heron
Captain David Collins/Robert Sideway - Danann McAleer
Midshipman Harry Brewer/Lieutenant Dawes/Black Caesar - Charlene Qwaye
Captain Arthur Philip/John Wisehammer - Luca Thompson
2nd Lieutenant Ralph Clark - Joseph Tweedale
Rev Johnson/Mary Brenham/Meg Long - Paksie Vernon
Major Robbie Ross/James "Ketch" Freeman/John Arscott -Dan Wheeler
2nd Lieutenant William Faddy/Dabby Bryant - Heather Williams
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Creatives
Designer- Anna Reid
Composer/Sound Designer - Keegan Curan
Lighting - Chris Swain
Movement Director - Louise Kempton
Producer - Kerrie Burke-Avery
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Reviews
‘An articulate production’
‘Wisely, director Anna Girvan and the repertory company at Bristol’s Tobacco Factory Theatres have echoed the original structure, with cast members underlining the complex theme of crime and punishment by doubling as both officers and prisoners. The production is made more intimate by being set in-the-round by designer Anna Reid, and this also helps bring out Wertenbaker’s abiding message of the civilising nature of theatre.’
The Stage, 4/5
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‘the redemptive power of theatre for social change seems all the more poignant, and is at the heart of Anna Girvan’s powerful production.
Epigram, 4/5
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It’s this mix of the escapism of theatre and the brutal reality of imprisonment that this production balances so well: art is transcendent, healing, and joyful – but it cannot take away present situations;
Muddy Stilettos
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‘Directed by Anna Girvan, an alumnus of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, the nine-strong ensemble demonstrate their versatility.’
Weston-super-Mum
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‘I brought my A Level Drama students to the show last night. They have all studied the play and many of them have seen it performed professionally before. I've seen many productions of Our Country's Good, by Out of Joint and the National Theatre amongst others.
You blew us away. My students were on their feet applauding at the end of the show last night - it's extremely rare they all love a show, but this was one of those blissful occasions. The are absolutely buzzing today.
I thought it was the best production of Our Country's Good I've ever seen. I found it surprising and very clear. I was delighted by the way the staging, whilst unusual, served the text so effectively and let it speak so clearly. I thought your cast were uniformly excellent - their acting was powerful, truthful and superbly nuanced.
Jerry Strachan, Director of Drama, St Edwards Senior and Sixth Form