Timberlake Wertenbaker's "Our Country's Good" adapted from the Thomas Keneally novel 'The Playmaker'. Directed by Jacqueline Van de Geer. Based on real events, this is an inspiring tale of the transforming power of theatre. A boatload of convicts lands in Australia in 1788, and a benevolent governor seizes on the notion of having convicts perform a restoration comedy entitled "The Recruiting Officer" a comedy by George Farquhar. 'A play with-in a play' would be performed by the Convicts of the Penal Settlement in honor of the King's Birthday, June 4th 1789. Themes highlight sexuality, punishment, and the Georgian judicial system. A rousing and boisterous theatrical journey, at times both funny and dark.
Wertenbarer's work often contains this format in which the characters are seen to use theatre to say things they otherwise could not say, or to tell a story or myth for a specific political purpose. The plays are often set in different time periods even though she questions the potency of the arts in contemporary culture. The central characters are often unconventional women who question traditional women's roles.
I had seen this play performed once before, a few years ago at the large D.B. Clark Theatre at Concordia. This production was performed at the Joliette womens prison the Saturday before the official opening. It was presented in the round in a gym, set up like a boxing ring; -This format was carried over to the theatre performance space. This challenge is met and overcome by the actors despite some very highly choreographed physical action scenes. A minimalist set design of a tree stump and a few twigs on the floor serve to create the space. The focus is on the text and the delivery of the performances by the well rounded talented cast. Taking on a variety of accents and multiple characters and genders the ensemble delve into this world taking the audience along with them. The overall direction is seamless and the use of space is very creative. In the over two hour play with intermission the time flies by as we're so focused on the action as the tale unfolds.
Featuring a large ensemble of actors, some playing multiple roles: Jonathan Marquis, Emila Xochitl, Bryn Dewar, Kimberley-Sue Murray, Travis Martin, Kevin Kibbey, Anne-Marie Saheb, Jaa Smith-Johnson, Mikaela Davies, Marc-André Poulin, Sarah Hansen, Shayne Devouges, Sophie Gee. Costume design by Heidi Haering & Laura Nhem. Sound design by Anders Velila; Light design by Jody Burkholder.
Wertenbarer's work often contains this format in which the characters are seen to use theatre to say things they otherwise could not say, or to tell a story or myth for a specific political purpose. The plays are often set in different time periods even though she questions the potency of the arts in contemporary culture. The central characters are often unconventional women who question traditional women's roles.
I had seen this play performed once before, a few years ago at the large D.B. Clark Theatre at Concordia. This production was performed at the Joliette womens prison the Saturday before the official opening. It was presented in the round in a gym, set up like a boxing ring; -This format was carried over to the theatre performance space. This challenge is met and overcome by the actors despite some very highly choreographed physical action scenes. A minimalist set design of a tree stump and a few twigs on the floor serve to create the space. The focus is on the text and the delivery of the performances by the well rounded talented cast. Taking on a variety of accents and multiple characters and genders the ensemble delve into this world taking the audience along with them. The overall direction is seamless and the use of space is very creative. In the over two hour play with intermission the time flies by as we're so focused on the action as the tale unfolds.
Featuring a large ensemble of actors, some playing multiple roles: Jonathan Marquis, Emila Xochitl, Bryn Dewar, Kimberley-Sue Murray, Travis Martin, Kevin Kibbey, Anne-Marie Saheb, Jaa Smith-Johnson, Mikaela Davies, Marc-André Poulin, Sarah Hansen, Shayne Devouges, Sophie Gee. Costume design by Heidi Haering & Laura Nhem. Sound design by Anders Velila; Light design by Jody Burkholder.
Produced by the newly formed Griffin Town Theatre. An ambitious 16 performances scheduled at Theatre Ste-Catherine 26 January - 7 February. Tickets: 15$ - 5$ 514 284-3939.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment