The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in London has announced the full cast and creative team for their new production of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Our Country’s Good, written by and directed by Lyric Hammersmith Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan.
Our Country’s Good is the Olivier Award winning drama based on the extraordinary true story of Australia’s first penal colony.
Timberlake Wertenbaker is revisiting her seminal play for the production, in collaboration with consultant Ian Michael, to honor the voice and history of Australia’s First Nations People.
Starring in the production are Catrin Aaron (Richard III, Romeo and Julie) as Liz Morden/Lieutenant Will Dawes, Jack Bardoe (Love Labour’s Lost, A Voyage Round My Father) as John Arscott/Harry Brewer/Captain Jemmy Campbell, Ruby Bentall (The Rubenstein Kiss, Ramona Tells Jim) as Mary Brenham/Reverend Johnson/Meg Long, Nick Fletcher (Minority Report, The Crucible) as Robert Sideway/Captain David Colllins, Olivier Huband (The Duchess of Malfi, Mission Impossible: Fallout) as Caesar/Captain Watkin Tench, Harry Kershaw (Fanny, Peter Pan Goes Wrong) as John Wisehammer/Captain Arthur Phillip, Finbar Lynch (The Deep Blue Sea, Hamlet) as Ketch Freeman/Major Robbie Ross, Simon Manyonda (The Crucible, Word-Play) as Second Lieutenant Ralph Clarke, Naarah (The Sunshine Club, The Sapphires) as First Nations Narrator, Aliyah Odoffin (Sleepova, Everything I Know About Love) as Duckling Smith/Lieutenant George Johnston, and Nicola Stephenson (The Empress, War Horse) as Dabby Bryant/Second Lieutenant William Faddy.
The creative team also includes Set & Costume Design by Gary McCann, Lighting Design by Paul Keogan, Sound Design by Gregory Clarke, Music by Holly Khan, Cultural Consulting by Ian Michael, Casting by Isabella Odoffin CDG, Casting Assisting by Joanna Sturrock, Fight & Intimacy Direction by Bethan Clark, Dialect and Voice Coaching by Joel Trill, , Assistant Direction by Harper K. Hefferon.
Rachel O’Riordan, Artistic Director & CEO of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, said in a statement: “Timberlake Wertenbaker’s seminal play Our Country’s Good is a visceral story that reminds us of not only the dark history of the British Empire and Australia’s first penal colony, but also explores the morality of our justice systems. Through the story of transportation of criminals, the play invites audiences to interrogate whether deportation as punishment ever works and probes the ethics behind our prison systems. Collaborating with Timberlake alongside Ian Michael, our show’s First Nation consultant, has been an incredible joy and I am honored to bring this ensemble piece to life in this contemporary and bold revival.”
Our Country’s Good is playing at the Lyric Hammersmith from 5 September to 5 October 2024.
Currently playing at the Lyric Hammersmith is new musical FANGIRLS, until 24 August 2024.
Book tickets to Our Country’s Good at the Lyric Hammersmith theatre London
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