Our Country’s Good…. Sort Of

By Editor 7 years ago

Millie-Ellen Postle reviews a portrayal of Australia.

3 / 5 stars

Our Country’s Good, a tale of the role of theatre in rehabilitation and education set in an eighteenth century Australian colony. Unsure of what to expect from this production, I was pleasantly surprised when I was greeted with incredibly long bedsheets draped over the rigging. As strange as this may sound, accompanied with the lighting it made for a very effective and striking set. As a student production, the set was naturally very minimal with just the sheets and wooden pallets, but they were utilised with great effect in each scene, making the transition from ship to tent to cells very distinguishable.

The director, Helena Jacques-Morton, states that this play features a “wannabe director.” In all honesty, in some scenes I questioned her decisions. Whilst I understand that to create an environment, actors need to become a part of the set, trying to understand what a character is saying whilst holding up a pallet, with their face turned away and their arm covering their mouth, is incredibly difficult. There were also times when the scene changes, although smooth and well-rehearsed, detracted from the scene that had come before. For example, when it was time for Rose Macauly’s character to profess her love for a dying Andrew Chalmers, the exit of both characters compromised the emotion of that scene, and as an audience member I was left confused and bored.

This boredom was not aided by the fact that in many cases throughout the play, sound was an issue for quite a few characters. I am aware that microphones are not always possible, but in this case many lines were lost when the actors lowered their voices to convey certain emotions. It was also the case that as many of the cast had dual roles, it was difficult to distinguish the relationships of each character. Although the change in beautiful costumes helped determine who was convict and who captain, the onstage chemistry was lost when the characters had to interact with each other. It is very easy to spit at someone, but the contempt and conviction seemed to be lacking.

This is not to say, however, that the cast weren’t talented. There were many points throughout the play that impressed me. Alice Gold as Dabby Bryant, Andrew Chalmers as Captain Jemmy Campbell, and Louis Catliff as Robert Sideways provided much needed comic relief, with near perfect comedic timing and great physicality. Another stand out moment was Jen Grace’s stirring monologue as the damned and destitute Liz Morden. Detailing the hardship of life was an engaging and emotional moment in the show. It seemed a running feature, however, that the onstage chemistry of the cast when they were convicts was much greater and more engaging than when they were officers, making those moments arduous to watch and superficial.

The final thing I have to comment on is the use of multi media in this production. As some of you may be aware, this play is narrated by an aboriginal Australian man who keeps the running theme of dreams and colonialism running through the play. The way in which this was done was through recordings projected on to screens either side of the audience. This, for me, failed. I found the screens distracting and the clicking and view of the mouse and progress bar unprofessional. I appreciate the idea, but it just didn’t work in practice.

Overall I would have to say I enjoyed this performance due to the innovative staging and comic relief of the characters. I would say that Helena has been successful in her production, but the blocking of certain characters and delivery of some lines may want to be looked at in the future. It was an interesting portrayal of discipline vs rehabilitation in eighteenth century Australia.

Comments

comments

Tags: , , ,

135 thoughts on “Our Country’s Good…. Sort Of”

  14. I believe what you posted was very logical. However, what about this?
    suppose you were to write a awesome title? I ain’t suggesting your
    content isn’t good., but what if you added something that grabbed a person’s attention? I mean Our Country's Good….

    Sort Of is a little vanilla. You could peek at Yahoo’s home page and note how they create
    article titles to grab people interested.
    You might try adding a video or a related picture or two to grab people excited about what you’ve got to say.
    In my opinion, it could make your blog a little bit more interesting.

    Reply

  48. PBN sites
    We will generate a network of private blog network sites!

    Benefits of our privately-owned blog network:

    We carry out everything so GOOGLE does not comprehend that this A privately-owned blog network!!!

    1- We acquire domain names from various registrars

    2- The principal site is hosted on a VPS server (VPS is high-speed hosting)

    3- The remaining sites are on various hostings

    4- We assign a individual Google account to each site with verification in Google Search Console.

    5- We design websites on WordPress, we do not employ plugins with aided by which malware penetrate and through which pages on your websites are established.

    6- We do not duplicate templates and utilise only unique text and pictures

    We do not work with website design; the client, if desired, can then edit the websites to suit his wishes

    Reply

  120. Understanding COSC Validation and Its Importance in Watchmaking
    COSC Accreditation and its Rigorous Standards
    COSC, or the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Agency, is the authorized Swiss testing agency that verifies the accuracy and accuracy of timepieces. COSC accreditation is a sign of quality craftsmanship and reliability in timekeeping. Not all timepiece brands pursue COSC validation, such as Hublot, which instead sticks to its own demanding standards with movements like the UNICO calibre, attaining comparable accuracy.

    The Science of Exact Chronometry
    The central system of a mechanical watch involves the spring, which provides energy as it unwinds. This system, however, can be vulnerable to external elements that may influence its precision. COSC-validated mechanisms undergo demanding testing—over fifteen days in various circumstances (5 positions, 3 temperatures)—to ensure their resilience and dependability. The tests assess:

    Mean daily rate precision between -4 and +6 secs.
    Mean variation, maximum variation levels, and effects of temperature variations.
    Why COSC Validation Is Important
    For timepiece aficionados and connoisseurs, a COSC-accredited watch isn’t just a piece of tech but a demonstration to lasting quality and precision. It signifies a watch that:

    Offers outstanding reliability and precision.
    Provides assurance of superiority across the complete construction of the watch.
    Is apt to maintain its value more effectively, making it a smart investment.
    Famous Timepiece Manufacturers
    Several famous brands prioritize COSC accreditation for their timepieces, including Rolex, Omega, Breitling, and Longines, among others. Longines, for instance, presents collections like the Record and Soul, which highlight COSC-accredited movements equipped with advanced substances like silicone equilibrium springs to improve durability and efficiency.

    Historic Context and the Evolution of Timepieces
    The notion of the chronometer originates back to the need for exact timekeeping for navigational at sea, emphasized by John Harrison’s work in the eighteenth cent. Since the official foundation of Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres in 1973, the certification has become a standard for evaluating the precision of high-end timepieces, sustaining a tradition of excellence in horology.

    Conclusion
    Owning a COSC-certified watch is more than an aesthetic selection; it’s a dedication to excellence and accuracy. For those appreciating accuracy above all, the COSC accreditation offers tranquility of thoughts, ensuring that each accredited timepiece will perform reliably under various conditions. Whether for personal satisfaction or as an investment decision, COSC-validated timepieces stand out in the world of horology, bearing on a legacy of precise chronometry.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND