Breaker Morant: We caught them and we shot them under rule 303
Mousetrap Theatre, Redcliffe (Qld) presents Breaker Morant, written by Australian play and screenwriter Kenneth Ross, from February 15 – March 2, 2013. The play is based on the true story of the great Australian poet Harry “Breaker” Morant and the court-martial trial.
Breaker Morant was written by Australian play and screenwriter Kenneth Ross. The play is based on the true story of the great Australian poet Harry “Breaker” Morant and the court-martial trial.
Breaker Morant was an Anglo-Australian drover, horseman, poet and soldier whose skill with horses earned him the nickname "The Breaker". The bulk of his published work appeared in The Bulletin magazine.
In 1901 Breaker Morant was an Australian fighting for the British Empire. During service in the Secnd Boer War, he allegedly participated in the execution of several Boer prisoners and the killing of a German missionary. His actions led to a controversial court-martial and execution.
Director Nathaniel Currie says, "Breaker Morant has been a thrill to put together. The commitment from not only our cast and crew but also the support from the community is a testament to the place this great Australian peice of history holds with the Australian people. The level of camaraderie built from the cast, has developed into a really fantastic production we are all proud of."
At the turn of the 20th century Australia began to develop a culture that we still associate ourselves with today. Parliament was formed and with that the first Australian troops fought under the British Empire. New Australians learnt to survive in the harsh bushlands and their strong mateship & larrikin humour remain traits we are still proud of. At the same time as Breaker Morant was serving in the Boer War, Redcliffe’s original Moreton Bay Hotel was built. The hotel was a two-storey wooden building in the front with a single-storey at the rear. Various owners controlled the hotel until in the 1950s when most of the old building was demolished but part of it was retained and moved to the Redcliffe Showgrounds where it became part of the Redcliffe Rugby League Club.
In 1967 the premises were bought by the Redcliffe Music and Arts Society, which became their permanent home now known as the Mousetrap Theatre Company. While additions have been made, the original section remains, and with it a part of history for all to enjoy. These two events now meet with the production of the great Australian play Breaker Morant.
More than a hundred years on, the investigations still continue – should the soldiers have been charged over these acts or was it just part of war? Visit this historical theatre, hear the story of the trial and make up your own mind.
Mousetrap Theatre, Redcliffe Showgrounds
Evening performance 7:30pm - Feb 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, Mar 1st, 2nd
Sunday matinee 2:00pm - Feb 17th, 24th
www.mousetraptheatre.asn.au or call Keith on 3888 3493
Cast
Major Thomas -David Corrie
Major Bolton - John Honey
Breaker Morant - Nathaniel Currie
Lt Handcock - Marcus Thomas
Lt Witton - Luke Byars
Lord Kitchner - Mike Pitcher
Col. Hamilton/Captain Taylor - Justin Wallace
Presidents - David Jones
President - Doug Harper
Mr Robertson - Ron Leikfeld
S.M Drumitt - Andrew Quant
Van Rooyan/Dr Johnson - Tom Burrell
Corp. Sharp - Micheal Brealy
Troopa Botha - Justin Webster
Crew
Director - Nathaniel Currie
Assistant Director - Linda Meyer
Stage Manager - Ian Warnett
Props Manager - Hillary Warnett
Set design - Ian and Hillary Warnett
Costumes - Karen Mathews
Light and sound - David Scheive
Images: Nathaniel Currie, Luke Byars and Marcus Thomas (Breaker, Witton and Hancock), Moreton Bay Hotel, Mousetrap Theatre & Andrew Quant, David Corrie and John Honey.
More Community Theatre Reading
Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.
