FEST announces Audition Call for Spring Production of Our Country’s Good! Play and Character Synopsis here!
Play Synopsis
Setting: In and around Britain’s first penal colony in New South Wales – to become Sydney, Australia – 1788/89
To raise morale and counter the growing discontent engendered by harsh rationing, enforced labor and recent public hangings, Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark answers the call to mount a play in honor of the King’s birthday. He faces the wrath of his direct superior and battles with his own conflicting desires as he directs a mostly illiterate cast of convicts through an experience that will change them all.
Characters
Captain Arthur Phillip, RN – 50-60, intellectual, understanding, authoritative, naval commander, Governor of the colony
Major Robbie Ross, RM – 30-35, wrathful, power-obsessed, bitter, in charge of all marines, deputy to Captain Phillip
Capt. David Collins, RM – 30-35, logical, just, well read, the colony’s judge
Capt. Watkin Tench, RM – 27-33, educated, sarcastic, elitist, the colony’s journaler
Capt. Jemmy Campbell, RM – 37-43, pompous, moody, amused, second and sidekick to Ross
Rev. Richard Johnson – 30-60, true believer, anti-Papist, the colony’s spiritual guide
Lt. William Dawes, RM – 20-30, head in the clouds, the colony’s astronomer
Lt. George Johnston, RM – 20-30, ladies’ man, likeable, assistant to Captain Phillip
2nd Lt. Ralph Clark, RM – 27-33, obedient, uneasy around women, volunteers to direct the play within a play
2nd Lt. William Faddy, RM – 37-43, ideal military man, cocky, dislikes Clark
Midshipman Harry Brewer, RN – 47-53, superstitious, guilt-ridden, jealous, in charge of provisions and enforcement
Aboriginal Australian(s) – 18-40, curious, fearful, superstitious, observes colonists (preferably 2 black actors)
John Arscott – 18-23 m, convict, gullible, desperate to escape, uses play within play to forget his situation
Dabby Bryant – 20-40 f, convict, practical, critical of play, interprets dreams, longs to escape back to England
Black Caesar – 20-35 m, convict, pushy, voracious appetite for food and women
Ketch Freeman – 30-40 m, convict, outcast, horny, becomes colony hangman to save his own neck
Liz Morden – 25-45 f, convict, proud, downtrodden, speaks cant, refuses to betray fellow convicts even at risk to life
Duckling Smith – 18-30 f, convict, stubborn, sulky, hides behind facade, prostituted from young age
John Wisehammer – 18-25 m, convict, knowledgeable, proud, persecuted for being Jewish, loves words, wants to write
Mary Brenham – 18-23 f, convict, shy, romantic, naive, plays man in play within a play, falls in love with Ralph Clark
Meg Long – 30-60 f, convict, filthy, no sexual taboos, nicknamed Shitty Meg, uses plenty of sexual innuendo
Robert Sideway – 30-50 m, convict, child of streets, flamboyant, overacts, dreams of stardom
At auditions, we will be looking for actors for roles as described above. The age ranges given are guidelines but not restrictive. The officers will all be men, though they may be played by women who are willing. The play was originally conceived to be played by fewer actors taking on multiple roles. Depending on the turnout and interest level, you may be asked to play more than one of the smaller roles; however this will be a ‘last resort’. Please let us know if you play the drums, clapsticks or didgeridoo. Note: 2nd Lt. Ralph Clark is a large role, in half of the scenes of the play. Actors wishing to be considered for this role must be able learn their lines quickly and get off book early.