November 12, 1996 to November 16, 1996
Directed by Richard Stevenson
On a bright Sunday morning in the Spring of 1787, a fleet of ships weighed anchor and sailed down the English Channel bound for Australia. Within the cramped and stinking holds of these vessels were crammed the convict cast-offs of England, whose 'job' it was to build the first colony, their discipline and punishment being overseen by a detatchment of Marines, serving as convict guard.
Leading the fleet, the flagship "Sirius" finally made landfall at Botany Bay, Australia, on January 20th, 1788, after some eight months at sea, with the English flag being raised, saluted and toasted at Sydney Cove the following week.
Shortly after setting up camp, the Governor-in-Chief, Captain Arthur Phillip, felt that something ought to be done to help reform and educate the prisoners, so he decided to put on a play, with the convicts as actors.
Enter Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark, a somewhat naive officer, who sees directing the play as an opportunity to gain favour with the Governor and hopefully to increase his chances of promotion.
But, not everybody is in favour of the production going ahead. By far the most serious opposition comes from the brutal Marine, Major Robbie Ross.
However, Ralph Clark must take the various thieves, muggers, whores and pick-pockets, assigned to him by the Governor and mould them into something resembling a theatre company and perform the play "The Recruiting Officer" by George Farquhar.
Cast
|
Captain Arthur Phillip.................Tony Whitley |
Midshipman Harry Brewer...........Gordon Gell |
For The Marlow Players
Stage Manager..................................................Jan Townes
Sound..........................................Gil Townes, Steve Cooper
Lighting.............................................................Dean Davis
Properties..........................................Pat Upton, Vida Ayres
Continuity..................................................Marjorie Howarth
Publicity.................................................Raymond Gumbley
Costumes........Jenny McDonald, Val Whitley, Sarah Williams
Artwork.............................................................Steve Coley
Music...........John Adams, Michelle Short, Richard Stevenson
Front of House........................Pauline Green, Audrey Warne
Set Design / Construction..............Gil Townes, Steve Cooper
.............................Vince Morris, Frank Grundy, Rob Nelson
