Our Country's Good: Based on the Novel the "Playmaker" by Thomas Kenneally (Student Editions)

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Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark: Ralph is struggling as a lower officer. He desperately wants promotion, and when he hears through Harry Brewer that Arthur Phillip has suggested a play be put on by the convicts, he jumps to set about doing it. You see his transformation in the play as he turns from a man who is extremely nervous and uneasy around women, even ridiculed for not having a woman convict for himself on the voyage to Australia, to a man in love with the convict Mary Brenham. He is influenced, to changing his feelings towards the convicts, by Arthur Phillip, giving them respect in the end, apologising to Liz Morden for interrupting her line in a rehearsal. The real Ralph Clark later had a daughter with Mary Brenham, whom he named Betsey Alicia – for his wife in England.

Second Lieutenant William Faddy: He opposes the play simply because he doesn't like Ralph. His dislike is never really explained, but all of his comments in his only scene (Act One, Scene Six) are sarcastic snides or even insults directed at Ralph. The Aboriginal watches the colony from the moment they set foot in Australia. He regards them with curiosity and caution. He ends up catching a common disease they bring with them as he breaks out with red bumps everywhere. John Arscott The Working notebook must not exceed in total (evidence beyond this must not count towards the mark)All upcoming public events are going ahead as planned and you can find more information on our events blog

In 1787, a fleet of ships carrying over 700 convicts set sail on an eight month voyage. When they arrive in Australia, their survival is by no means certain: supplies are running out, the convicts are stealing food or trying to escape and the guards are threatening mutiny. Major Robbie Ross fought and lost in the war against America which he believes is the reason why he was sent with the First Fleet to Australia. Throughout the play he is a bitter and negative person. He does not want the play “The Recruiting Officer” to happen and tries to stop it at every point by creating tension between the convicts and Lieutenant Ralph Clark. Ultimately he is always overruled by Captain Arthur Phillips. Captain David Collins Our Country’s Good is a dramatic depiction of these real life events which makes use of historical records as inspiration for the characters. Update this section! Metamorphosis (in Three Theatre Adaptations from Franz Kafka, Amber Lane Press – ISBN: 978-0906399842) Dabby Bryant is based on the real person, Mary Bryant (1765-1794), who managed to escape from an Australian penalty colony.Faddy is against the idea of the play because he does not like Ralph Clark. He only appears in one scene (Act one, Scene six) where he constantly makes snide comments to Ralph and expresses his distaste for him through insults directed at Ralph. Midshipman Harry Brewer

This component is a written exam in which students are assessed on their knowledge and understanding of how drama and theatre is developed and performed (AO3) and on their ability to analyse and evaluate the live theatre work of others (AO4).The real Lieutenant-General Watkin Tench (1758-1833) published books that describe his life in the First Fleet. In the 1780s, convicts and Royal Marines were sent to Australia as part of the first penal colony there. The play shows the class system in the convict camp and discusses themes such as sexuality, punishment, the Georgian judicial system, and the idea that it is possible for "theatre to be a humanising force". Arts, Humanities and Cultures • AQA A-level History: Britain 1851-1964: Challenge and Transformation Johnston is also not a main character in the play and is known for treating woman sinners with compassion. During the vote he votes for the play. Lieutenant Will Dawes