ART imitates life imitating art in Our Country's Good, currently being rehearsed at the Nuffield theatre, Southampton.

The play is based on the true story of a group of 18th century convicts who are deported to Australia to serve out their sentences.

Stranded on desolate shores, for many of the prisoners their treatment is as ferocious as the landscape.

But one man, Lt Ralph Clark, defies the rules.

Rather than punish the convicts, he casts them in his own play and, as a result, creates the first piece of theatre to be performed in Australia.

Our Country's Good will be performed at the Nuffield Theatre from October 31 until November 16.

For tickets and more information, call 023 8067 1771.