Many plays follow a conventional story arc. Characters are introduced, they encounter a problem, and by the end, they all learn some sort of truth or lesson.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
On the cover: Esther Taylor-Weiss, left, of Auburn, plays Mary Brehnam, a convict in the play “Our Country's Good.” She huddles with Patty Fisher, of Skaneateles, in the role of fellow convict Dabby Bryant.
On the cover: Esther Taylor-Weiss, left, of Auburn, plays Mary Brehnam, a convict in the play “Our Country's Good.” She huddles with Patty Fisher, of Skaneateles, in the role of fellow convict Dabby Bryant.
According to Jason Manning, people looking for those conventions might be surprised if they see the Auburn Player's latest production, “Our Country's Good,” this weekend.
“It's the least play-like play people will have seen for a while,” said Manning, who is directing the play. “Not everyone actually changes. They don't all learn profound lessons.”
Opening Friday, Jan. 9, “Our Country's Good” is a two-act work by British playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker that follows a group of prisoners and sailors heading by ship to an Australian penal colony. During the trip, an officer on the ship tries to produce his own play, with the convicts serving as actors.
The piece examines the conventions of theater through a sort of play within a play, while at the same time commenting on punishment, class, sexuality and the judicial system.
The result, Manning said, breaks the fourth wall and forces audiences to interact with the play. Scenes swing from the intense to the provocative to the sincere. Actors portray both officers and prisoners, with costume changes occurring onstage.
“This is why we do theater,” he said. “Comfort breed distraction, and I want the audience to shift in their seats.”
Written in 1988, “Our Country's Good” has been produced around the world and has even been produced in prisons by inmates. The local significance of the play is not lost on Manning. With the Auburn Correctional Facility smack in the middle of town, it can be difficult to grow up in the city without facing some of the issues in the play.
Plays have even been produced at the prison over the years. In fact, one of the 12-person cast is a corrections officer.
“I'm very much for prison reform and education in prisons,” Manning said.
Manning has even read letters from prisoners to the author. The letters, he said, speak of the relief that can come through performing.
“They said they were able to find an outlet for all those issues they had,” Manning said.
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: “Our Country's Good”
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 8, 9, 16 and 17; 2 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 11 and 18
Where: Irene Bisgrove Theater, Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn
Info: Call 258-8275
“It's the least play-like play people will have seen for a while,” said Manning, who is directing the play. “Not everyone actually changes. They don't all learn profound lessons.”
Opening Friday, Jan. 9, “Our Country's Good” is a two-act work by British playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker that follows a group of prisoners and sailors heading by ship to an Australian penal colony. During the trip, an officer on the ship tries to produce his own play, with the convicts serving as actors.
The piece examines the conventions of theater through a sort of play within a play, while at the same time commenting on punishment, class, sexuality and the judicial system.
The result, Manning said, breaks the fourth wall and forces audiences to interact with the play. Scenes swing from the intense to the provocative to the sincere. Actors portray both officers and prisoners, with costume changes occurring onstage.
“This is why we do theater,” he said. “Comfort breed distraction, and I want the audience to shift in their seats.”
Written in 1988, “Our Country's Good” has been produced around the world and has even been produced in prisons by inmates. The local significance of the play is not lost on Manning. With the Auburn Correctional Facility smack in the middle of town, it can be difficult to grow up in the city without facing some of the issues in the play.
Plays have even been produced at the prison over the years. In fact, one of the 12-person cast is a corrections officer.
“I'm very much for prison reform and education in prisons,” Manning said.
Manning has even read letters from prisoners to the author. The letters, he said, speak of the relief that can come through performing.
“They said they were able to find an outlet for all those issues they had,” Manning said.
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: “Our Country's Good”
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 8, 9, 16 and 17; 2 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 11 and 18
Where: Irene Bisgrove Theater, Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn
Info: Call 258-8275
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