OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD

By Timberlake Wertenbaker
Direction Shauna Kanter

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PRESENTED July 9-26, 2015 at The Byrdcliffe Theater, Woodstock, NY

 

Our Country’s Good is based on the true story of the convicts and British Royal Marines who set sail on May 13th, 1787, the longest sea voyage ever taken. The crimes that led a person to be sentenced for transportation varied enormously – anything from stealing goods from furnished lodgings to stealing roots, trees or plants to manslaughter.

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The oldest victim, an 82 year old woman had been transported for perjury, the youngest boy was a 9 year old chimney sweep who had been convicted of stealing some clothes and a pistol. The youngest girl was a clogmaker, aged 13, who had stolen a linen gown and a silk bonnet. By putting on Farquhar’s play “Recruiting Officer”, these convicts experienced the positive transformative power of theater.​​

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