"The Sentimental Bloke"

by C J Dennis.

Directed by Doreen Howells

A classic Australian Musical set in Melbourne in 1915

Performed July-August 2007

Set in 1915 this classic from CJ Dennis began as a book of poems entitled ‘The songs of the Sentimental Bloke’ It was made into a silent movie in 1918 and was discovered by an avid movie researcher under a different name in the archives. 

It was turned into a musical in 1961 and was performed in Canberra ACT. It was performed by the Geraldton Concert Artists and The Geraldton Repertory Club at the old Town Hall in 1974 before they combined and became Theatre Eight.  

The performance in 2007 was a tribute to our dear friend John Spendlove and to all our wonderful members that are no longer with us and gave us our legacy that is now T8. 

The cast members:

Ginger Mick                           Mark Long

Rose                                        Tania Slater

Bill                                          Greg Van Herpen

Doreen                                    Caity Stafford

Mr Smithers                           Neil Jones

Mrs Mitchell                          Mary Maurer

Mrs Capper                           Val Luscombe

Norman Capper                    John Ridley

Charlie Skewes                      Lachlan Adams

Amy (Doreen’s mother)        Pat Miles

Uncle Percy                            Mike Lawrie

The Ringkeeper                     John Ridley

The Policeman                       Tom Luscombe

Mabel                                     Elise Howells

Gertie                                      Aleshia Godenzie

Sal                                           Rachel Heelan

Olive/Patsy                             Kathy Findlay

Doug/’Erb                              Patrick Hanrahan

Fred                                        Tony Slater 

2nd policeman                    Bruce Brown