Official Review: The Coup by Peter Tucker
Posted: 09 Dec 2020, 10:07
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Coup" by Peter Tucker.]
The “Rum Rebellion” is a part of Australian history that took place on January 28th, 1808. It is the only point in Australian history that included a military coup. It involved the colony of New South Wales, where John Macarthur’s landholding was disputed by Governor William Bligh and an uprising occurred. Military corps stampeded Government House and placed Bligh under house arrest. The Coup is a radio play by Peter Tucker and an online stage production surrounding this subject.
The play begins with narration by an aboriginal man called Tedbury. He describes the changing social environment due to the colonization of New South Wales. He cannot understand the squabbling and fighting of the white men and is angered by them taking land that does not belong to them. He is also enraged at soldiers being sent out to destroy all indigenous people they meet.
He continues to describe a British man he does like, John Macarthur, a military officer with an ambition that won’t let anyone stand in his way. Macarthur gets into trouble for fighting and is sent back to Britain. Whilst there he sets up a prosperous wool business and is granted 500 acres of land in New South Wales on his return to Australia. Governor Bligh disputes this right to prime land and orders an arrest warrant for Macarthur for an unpaid vessel bond. Macarthur gains support from other military officials and soldiers and goes to Government House. They make their demands and place Bligh and his daughter, Mary, under house arrest, with Bligh stating this is only the beginning and they won’t get away with it.
Being the first online stage play I have listened to, I didn’t know what to expect. Each character pleasantly surprised me. They all had different accents and unique styles of speaking, so it was very easy to set each character apart. Each character was very animated and entertaining to listen to, displaying a lot of emotions in their roles. I liked the narration of Tedburry, with his confusion of white men, colonizing the land that belongs to the indigenous people and their ancestors. The play displays the struggles between aboriginal people and white people in the past, and right through to present day. The play shows the instability of the colonization of New South Wales in history and is therefore educational and entertaining.
The play is also narrated by Sarah Bacaller. This is very useful in explaining the transition of scenes, describing locations and introducing a new character and their appearance. This provides great imagery and as you are listening, it is very easy to imagine this being performed for you on a stage. Also, there are useful sound effects that help to transport you to this time and place and feel immersed in the action.
The play includes a wide range of characters, all with big personalities, and the actors do a terrific job in presenting them. Some characters are more likeable than others and some are not pleasant people. You cannot help but feel sorry for the indigenous people in Australia, whose lives are disrupted because of the colonization and some of these unlikable characters.
My favorite part of the play is the ending. It includes characters reflecting on their lives, celebrating their successes and acknowledging their failures. In hindsight, they feel sorrow for some of their actions and I felt it was a very reflective ending. Also, there is an inclusion of a modern-day scene exploring indigenous people of Australia, which is very apt and thought-provoking.
I enjoyed this audio-play and was immersed in the historical story and its actors. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars, as I found nothing to dislike. The play is suitable for adults and young adults, who enjoy history. There is no sexual content, but there is profanity throughout, so I advise some caution for younger adults and more sensitive readers. If you are a history and theater fan, this could be for you. Sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in a captivating play.
******
The Coup
View: on Bookshelves
The “Rum Rebellion” is a part of Australian history that took place on January 28th, 1808. It is the only point in Australian history that included a military coup. It involved the colony of New South Wales, where John Macarthur’s landholding was disputed by Governor William Bligh and an uprising occurred. Military corps stampeded Government House and placed Bligh under house arrest. The Coup is a radio play by Peter Tucker and an online stage production surrounding this subject.
The play begins with narration by an aboriginal man called Tedbury. He describes the changing social environment due to the colonization of New South Wales. He cannot understand the squabbling and fighting of the white men and is angered by them taking land that does not belong to them. He is also enraged at soldiers being sent out to destroy all indigenous people they meet.
He continues to describe a British man he does like, John Macarthur, a military officer with an ambition that won’t let anyone stand in his way. Macarthur gets into trouble for fighting and is sent back to Britain. Whilst there he sets up a prosperous wool business and is granted 500 acres of land in New South Wales on his return to Australia. Governor Bligh disputes this right to prime land and orders an arrest warrant for Macarthur for an unpaid vessel bond. Macarthur gains support from other military officials and soldiers and goes to Government House. They make their demands and place Bligh and his daughter, Mary, under house arrest, with Bligh stating this is only the beginning and they won’t get away with it.
Being the first online stage play I have listened to, I didn’t know what to expect. Each character pleasantly surprised me. They all had different accents and unique styles of speaking, so it was very easy to set each character apart. Each character was very animated and entertaining to listen to, displaying a lot of emotions in their roles. I liked the narration of Tedburry, with his confusion of white men, colonizing the land that belongs to the indigenous people and their ancestors. The play displays the struggles between aboriginal people and white people in the past, and right through to present day. The play shows the instability of the colonization of New South Wales in history and is therefore educational and entertaining.
The play is also narrated by Sarah Bacaller. This is very useful in explaining the transition of scenes, describing locations and introducing a new character and their appearance. This provides great imagery and as you are listening, it is very easy to imagine this being performed for you on a stage. Also, there are useful sound effects that help to transport you to this time and place and feel immersed in the action.
The play includes a wide range of characters, all with big personalities, and the actors do a terrific job in presenting them. Some characters are more likeable than others and some are not pleasant people. You cannot help but feel sorry for the indigenous people in Australia, whose lives are disrupted because of the colonization and some of these unlikable characters.
My favorite part of the play is the ending. It includes characters reflecting on their lives, celebrating their successes and acknowledging their failures. In hindsight, they feel sorrow for some of their actions and I felt it was a very reflective ending. Also, there is an inclusion of a modern-day scene exploring indigenous people of Australia, which is very apt and thought-provoking.
I enjoyed this audio-play and was immersed in the historical story and its actors. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars, as I found nothing to dislike. The play is suitable for adults and young adults, who enjoy history. There is no sexual content, but there is profanity throughout, so I advise some caution for younger adults and more sensitive readers. If you are a history and theater fan, this could be for you. Sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in a captivating play.
******
The Coup
View: on Bookshelves
