As part of this year's Southwark College Creative Arts Summer Show, Level 3 Drama students staged a rendition of 'Our Country's Good' by British Playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker, showcasing their outstanding performance skills.
The play is set in Australia 1788, during the establishment of Australia's first penal colony. It is based on real-life events and tells the story of naval officer Lieutenant Ralph Clark, who stages a production of The Recruiting Officer (1709) by George Farquhar and casts prisoners. 'Our Country's Good' explores important themes such as crime, punishment, and justice and examines how theatre can positively change lives.
The audience was impressed by the set design, costumes and the range of acting techniques displayed by the students. From dress rehearsals to the final performance, the cast and their teacher have worked collaboratively to bring the play to life. In preparation for this production, the students learnt about various interesting acting techniques, such as doubling, which meant that each student could play two characters, preparing them for the next steps in their careers.
Amber Cruickshanks, Level 3 Drama student who played Lieutenant Ralph Clark, said: "I'm so proud of how polished and together the final shows were. Everyone performed really well. I love the dramatic and exaggerated style of acting in this play. This course has helped me discover new styles of acting I was unfamiliar with in preparation for my next steps after college."
Fellow cast member Adam Sealy, who played Midshipman Harry Brewer, said: "Studying Drama at Southwark College has made me realise how much I enjoy acting with other people, especially my classmates. It's amazing to see how everything turns out in the end. It can be challenging to memorise lines at first, but it's rewarding once things fall into place."
Jane Button, Principal at Southwark College, expressed her admiration for the students' remarkable dedication and hard work over the past year. She said:"The end-of-year performances delivered by our drama students as part of Southwark College's Creative Arts Summer Show highlights their hard work and dedication to their subject and career goals.
"Our drama courses are designed to provide opportunities for young people to explore a diverse range of acting styles and theatre practices, equipping them with the necessary tools and skills to pursue a career in the performing arts. Our students are truly talented individuals who have exceeded their teachers' expectations, pushing themselves to new heights and showcasing their potential as skilled performers."
To find out more about the drama courses on offer at Southwark College, visit southwark.ac.uk/drama
