The Saltus Grammar School production this year is Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker. Our Country’s Good by renowned London-based playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker has played throughout the UK over the last few years, and just last year at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto.

It is an Olivier Award-winning play about a very dark period in British history!

Set in Australia in 1787, the play explores the lives of the British convicts who were sent there as punishment for their crimes, and captures the lives of the Royal Marines, whose job it was to maintain order and build the first British colony. Bermuda’s Dockyard was, in part, built by British convicts on their way to Australia in the 1800s; therefore, the play offers a fascinating link with Bermuda’s international colonial past.

In the play, Ralph (David Hicks-Badger) is eager for promotion and wishes to impress his commanding officers. He decides to direct a play called the Recruiting Officer by George Farquar in which the convicts perform. This is challenging: some of the convicts cannot read, and others, including Liz Morden (Megan Zimmerer), have been sentenced to death for stealing from the colony’s stores. Adding to the chaos, Captain Robbie Ross thinks the convicts are there to be punished and that the play will lead to insubordination and potential mutiny among the marines; therefore, he sets out to make Ralph’s life very difficult indeed. Finally, the colony is running out of food and is desperate for fresh supplies raising the tension for all.

Young Observer met with some of the actors to learn more about their acting and the play.

Name: Meghan Soares (plays Mary Brenham)

Describe Our Country’s Good in your own words?

Our Country’s Good is an attention-grabbing and fascinating play about the harsh realities that the British convicts lived through. This play is definitely one of the more emotionally powerful plays we have performed at Saltus, which is very exciting!

How long have you been acting?

I discovered my interest in acting when I was nine years old, through my first school production. Since then, I have participated in several of the Saltus plays which has certainly helped me improve my acting skills over the years.

What do you enjoy about acting?

When I am on stage, I get such a thrill! The excitement of performing is one of the best feelings.

It’s wonderful to be a part of something that you and a whole team of others worked so hard to create. Performing for an audience allows us to express a meaningful message, which is so delightful.

Name: Cathal Rynne (plays Harry Brewer)

Describe Our Country’s Good in your own words?

Our Country’s Good is a truly thought-provoking and emotional drama, with elements of romance, comedy and tragedy. It is definitely one of the most intense productions I have ever been in at Saltus. It depicts the lives of the British convicts banished from their homes to the distant wasteland of 18th century Australia.

How long have you been acting?

I’ve been acting for as long as I can remember through various school productions and other local productions (most recently in the BMDS pantomime The Pied Piper). Acting has always been a passion of mine, and I have enjoyed developing my abilities over the years. I have never played a character as complicated as Harry Brewer before, but the challenge has been a phenomenal learning experience and I cannot wait for the performance dates.

What do you enjoy about acting?

Apart from being able to express oneself on stage and explore different time periods and characters, the bonds formed through a production are incomparable.

Name: Megan Zimmerer (plays Liz Morden)

Describe Our Country’s Good in your own words?

It is a captivating production that I consider to be one of the most emotionally impactful plays that Saltus has staged. The characters are much more complex and diverse — it is very enthralling to watch.

How long have you been acting?

I have been acting for about eight years. Throughout the course of those eight years, I have participated in G&S productions, numerous pantomimes and BMDS productions. At Saltus, I have acted in multiple plays and musicals, the most recent being Chicago.

What do you enjoy about acting?

I enjoy the process of creating a production and seeing the scenes begin to cohere and characters develop in a few months is incredible. Performing on stage is exhilarating. Being able to assume a persona completely different from yours is both challenging and fun. Conveying a message through theatre is really powerful and I love to see the play, or even a line, impact an audience!

We hope you enjoy this story of hope, love, and the power of theatre.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are available from Saltus Reception (292-6177) or via the School’s website www.saltus.bm. The production is staged in Alumni Hall in the Saltus Secondary Department.