Our Country's Good

Synopsis

Late 18th century, Australia 

“Our Country’s Good” explores the lives of British convicts and officers in the first penal colony in Australia. The plot revolves around the staging of a play by the convicts under the direction of Lieutenant Ralph Clark. This endeavor, initially met with skepticism and resistance, becomes a transformative experience for the participants. The play within the play, George Farquhar’s “The Recruiting Officer,” serves as a medium for the characters to explore their humanity and escape the harsh realities of their lives as convicts and overseers.

Thematically is about the redemptive power of theatre and the arts, the nature of justice and punishment, and the complexities of colonialism. It challenges the audience to consider the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their social status or past transgressions. The characters, through their participation in the play, find new aspects of their identities and a sense of community, offering a commentary on the capacity of art to bring about personal and collective transformation in even the most dehumanising conditions.