Is Drama important? When the necessities required to sustain human existence are under threat is there any place for theatre and culture?
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Timberlake Wertenbaker’s play ‘Our Country’s Good’ passionately states the case for the theatre as evidence of civilisation and the possibility of improvement and education for those who are prepared to listen. Never was this more pertinent than in the current economic gloom, albeit that the original setting of the play is Sydney in the 1700s. With a cast of cut-throats and pickpockets, misfits and malingerers, King Edward’s School Witley GCSE pupils, then, were performing a play that communicates a timeless message about the necessity for reform, justice and equality.
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The stylish and understated direction of Judy Heckstall-Smith coupled with the masterful technical flair of Lighting and Sound Director, Chris Wilson combined to provide this King Edward’s School Witley production with a resounding tour de force which heralds a renaissance of theatre performance during the VIVARTIS festival at the local independent school. Next March, they will perform ‘His Dark Materials’ by Philip Pullman as a whole school production.
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James was authoritative as Captain Arthur Phillip, the first governor of Sydney, skilfully supported by Lara – the advocate general, Captain Collins and My as Captain Tench; both girls were utterly convincing as male characters.
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Asa as an aboriginal spirit, brought an eerie sense of authentic gravitas to the production in stark contrast to the hilarious over- theatrical Englishman Robert Sideway, played by Jack.
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Alecz moved audiences with his mature performance of a conscience in crisis, in the form of Harry Brewer, a marine wracked with guilt for murdering his love rivals. In one unforgettable scene, Alecz convincingly portrayed not only his own character but the ghosts of his accusers as well – spine chilling performance!
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Sheridan as 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Clark held the sadistic Scots officers Miles and James at bay while his brutalised cast persisted to bring off a dramatic performance against all odds.
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“The pupils here are encouraged to see themselves and each other as a professional company with all of the responsibility to each other and the audience which that entails”, commented the Director, Webber Douglas trained professional actress Judy Heckstall-Smith.
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The last words should go to the character in the play who most passionately ensures that the performance survives, who is Captain Arthur Philip when he says of the audience that an evening at the theatre ..‘may make us laugh, it may make us think, we may even learn a little.”
