IN 1788 a group of criminals serving time in Australia staged a play. Two hundred years later, an English company performing the same play - George Farquhar's The Recruiting Officer - came across the extraordinary story of murderers and thieves-turned-actors and, inspired by their tale, wrote a play about their play.

"It sounds very serious," said Nigel Turner, who will direct the Malvern Theatre Players production of Our Country's Good next week.

"But it is written in such a way that it's engaging and intriguing. It's not weighed down by history. You don't feel like you are watching a documentary because every character is so alive."

Our Country's Good was written in 1988 when Max Stafford Clark, then artistic director of the Royal Court Theatre, was staging a revival of The Recruiting Officer and, during research, read about the convicts' production. He was enthused by the story - the idea that some of the first convicts shipped to the other side of the world rehearsed, learned lines and performed despite their bleak fate.

He commissioned Australian writer Timberlake Wertenbaker to pen a new play. The result is now considered a modern classic.

"The evolution of the play itself is interesting," said Turner. "There are 21 characters but it was written for specifically for a cast of 10, meaning people have to double up and play the Marine officers as well as convicts."

The Malvern Theatre Players production, being staged at the Coach House Theatre in Grange Road, Malvern, from Tuesday, May 6, to Saturday, May 10, features "tokenised" costumes.

"There have been a few productions with modern dress," said Taylor, "but we decided that we needed to convey some sense of period. Saying that, the play doesn't allow much time for costume changes, so our costumes will be somewhat tokenised."

Our Country's Good covers a number of themes - from patriotism, ambition and punishment to love, lust and ideals.

Critics have described the piece as "redemptive, transcendental".

For tickets, £10; £8 for under-18s; and £1 for over-60s, call the box office on 01684 892277.