In June 2026, we presented Timberlake Wertenberger's Our Country's Good, directed by Jane Mackenna.

A ship, sailing 15,000 miles to Botany Bay, Australia, is crammed with Britain's convicts – a punishment for their crimes. After a life-threatening voyage they arrive in 1788 but keeping the colony disciplined is a brutal job and cruelty is rife. To keep the convicts in line and attempt to 'civilise' this often desperate, violent, poverty stricken group, a young ambitious lieutenant, Ralph Clark, decides they should perform a play.

With a mostly illiterate cast, rising mistrust amongst the ranks and the leading actor facing the gallows, this is a one of a kind theatre production…

Our Country's Good tells the extraordinary true story of a group of convicts and their commanding officers. Based on the novel The Playmaker by Thomas Keneally, it explores themes of empathy, humanity, justice, and the healing power of theatre.

Charlotte Berry
(Mary Brenham)

Gary Brooks
(Midshipman Harry Brewer / Captain Jeremy Campbell RM / John Arscott)

Rosi Castle
(Lieutenant William Dawes RM / 'Shitty' Meg)

Sam Frost
(Lieutenant Ralph Clark RM)

Andrew Holt
(Lieutenant Governor Robert Ross RM / Ketch Freeman)

Jilly Hudson
(John Newton)

Patrick Knox
(Captain Arthur Phillip RN)

Andrew Middleton
(Captain Watkin Tench RM / John Wisehammer)

Clive Miller
(Deputy Judge Advocate David Collins RM / William Sideway)

Barry Nethercott
(a marine)

Maureen Nethercott
(Liz Morden)
Hazel Perrett
(Ann Smith, aka 'Duckling')

David Pileri
(John Caesar)

Gilly Savage
(Rev. Richard Johnson / a marine)

Bev Taylor-Wade
(Mary Bryant, aka 'Dabby' / 2nd Lieutenant William Faddy )

Photo Gallery
Rose Bowl Report
NODA Report
Somerset Federation of Drama Report
The Fine Times Recorder Review