Acclaimed Auckland director Margaret Mary Hollins is to direct Our Country's Good the final production for this year's Masters Theatre students... Acclaimed Auckland director Margaret Mary Hollins is to direct Our Country's Good the final production for this year's Masters Theatre students...Based on Thomas Keneally's novel, The Playmaker, Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker (The Grace of Mary Traverse, The Love of the Nightingale, New Anatomies) is about the staging of the first play in the penal colony of Sydney in 1788-9. One of the most acclaimed and popular of recent British plays, it celebrates the transforming power of theatre.
"Rarely has the redemptive, transcendental power of theatre been argued with such eloquence and passion." Independent
Our Country's Good was the winner of the Laurence Olivier Play of the year Award in 1988 and premiered at the Royal Court theatre London 1988, and opened on Broadway in 1991
Hollins says of the play "'Our Country's Good' is an historical play set in a time where punishment was brutal and food was worth more than gold. I am fascinated by the spirit, humour and passion of the powerful and rich personalities who are placed in a land unfamiliar as they strive for survival through words, power, love, torture and fantasy."
Hollins has worked in theatre, film, radio, television and theatre-in-education throughout New Zealand. She has also worked in Australia as an actor, producer and director. Hollins recently directed a critically acclaimed sell out production of Macbeth at the Silo Theatre. In December 2003 she directs a return season of the successful 'Beautiful Losers' by Mike Hudson with actors Ian Hughes and Scott Wills.
Critics said of Hollins' production of Macbeth, "Hollins certainly knows how to move people around on stage...action seems to erupt before us; keeping us constantly on edge...The production abounds in intelligent, thoughtful touches which refract the familiar through bright new eyes". Peter Calder on Macbeth Aug, 2003 NZ Herald. " Director Margaret-Mary Hollins pushes Macbeth to its bloodthirsty limits while seamlessly weaving in moments of sweetness and subtlety. Her visual treatment adds texture and poetry to the story, creating a rich, satisfying production." Macbeth Aug. 2003 Sunday Star Times
Acclaimed playwright Kathryn Van Beek wrote in The Package May 03 about the students previous production of the Tempest, "Mike Downey (as Prospero) did one of the finest performances of Shakespeare I've ever seen - possibly the most relaxed actor to ever tread the boards - All the actors were strong and well-cast, with stand-out performances also delivered by Patrick Graham as the sweet 'n sour Caliban, and the effervescent Rochelle Bright as a tuneful Ariel - "
WHAT: OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD
BY TIMBERLAKE WERTENBAKER
WHEN: OCTOBER 17-18, 21-25 AT 8PM.
4pm 19th and 26th.
NO SHOW MONDAY.
WHERE: Drama Studio, Level Three,
Arts One,
14A Symonds Street, University of Auckland.
WHO: DIRECTED BY MARGARET-MARRY HOLLINS
BOOKINGS: (09) 373 7599 EXT 84226
HOW MUCH: 15 Waged, $10 Students
Image: Anders Falstie Jensen - Photo by Rochelle Bright, Actor