Tuesday 24th until Saturday 28th November 2009 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol

Last night I went to see the Bristol Old Vic Young Company production of Our Country’s Good. The play itself is brilliant, and addresses a multitude of topics ranging from class, inequality, Brechtian estrangement and the importance if the arts to the functioning of society. It also addresses age old ideas put forth by philosophers like Socrates concerning the innate nature of intelligence, and sociological concepts like self fulfilling prophesy. But above all, it encourages a very humanitarian approach to both art and life. This as you can imagine, is a tricky undertaking for a group of very young actors on a very small stage!

The surprising thing is, they pull it off brilliantly! The play tells the story of royal marines crossing the seas to deport a group of British convicts in the late 1780’s, who have committed various crimes, mostly driven by their poverty. It addresses the difficulty of relationships, guilt within the royal marines at having hung so many of these convicts, and the feeling of worthlessness among the convicts at being judged for the acts they have committed, often simply in order to survive. The story centres round a play being staged by Lieutenant Ralph Clarke (Felix Pigrim) which aims to restore the dignity and purpose the convict’s lives, and help push the marines in charge to see them as human beings, as well as aid the young Captain’s promotion.

The Lieutenant is acted brilliantly, and with great sensitivity by Pilgrim, as is the blossoming relationship with the play’s leading lady, Mary Brenham (Helena Middleton). The relationship is also wonderfully set, between net curtains which shroud the lovers, and draw the audience in. The relationship between Duckling Smith (Lily Maryon) and Harry Brewer (Jesse Jones) is also acted beautifully. Harry struggles to find his place within the group, and is constantly tormented by guilt over the hanging of convict Handy Baker, whose ghost he sees throughout the play until he finally kills himself and leaves Duckling alone. The use of the stage space and costume for these scenes is beautifully put together. Chanting dancers covered in UV paint dance on stage over ultra violet aboriginal patterns on the stage floor, showing the torment of the characters, which punctuates the play very well. There is also a small ‘river’ built into the floor of the set, through which the ghost of Handy Baker swims to torment Harry, and doubles up as a crossing onto shore for the other characters. Characters such as Liz Morden, a troubled convict who only just avoids the noose, are brilliantly acted, and the use of the small space available is used to its very best advantage due to the creative use of props, set pieces and sound.

There were only a couple of places where the play struggled. The love triangle between Ralph Clarke, the leading lady and another convict is unconvincing, basically becoming lost within the other numerous storylines in the play. Also, some characters would have been played more convincingly by older, more seasoned actors. For example, Captain Jeremy Campbell (Amy Hunter) was, through no fault of the actresses own, unconvincing. The character of a drunk, loudmouthed Scotsman would simply have been more convincing if not played by a young woman. Also, the convict hangman, Ketch Freeman (played by Alex Dickinson) was well acted, but lacked gravity. The character is hated by the other convicts, especially Liz Morden, for taking the post of hangman (after explaining that it was ‘hang or be hanged’); he struggles to be accepted and explains he ‘lost his guardian angel’ when he left Ireland. However, the Irish element seems to add comedy to a role that should have come across as terribly sad and lonely.

However, despite these few small elements, the play was brilliant, the acting generally convincing and involving, and the use of stage, costume, lines and plot execution were really enjoyable. I would definitely recommend a trip to the theatre for this one.

www.bristololdvic.org.uk/bovyc

Natalie Burns