“THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE”

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 157, 21 March 1923, Page 4

“THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE”

CAPITAL COMEDY OF CHARACTER “'Phe Sentimental Bloke,” a comedy in three acts, by C. J. Dennis Cast— Ab Quons Barnev Niran Siiorky Otten ~.. Freddy Brown Steve Gunn Vivian Edwards Spike Wcec Jack Souter Ginser Mick ■ Tai Ordell Bill, the "Kid” Walter Oornoek Janiea Airey Edward Lander Mrs. Darling Stelbi. Payter Artie Apps Herbert U. Walton Effio Iza- Crossley Mrs. Entwistle Alice Walton Doreen Eileen Alexander •Erb Leslie Gordon Nurse Alfreda Bevan When C. J. Dennis wrote the poem

“The Sontimqntal Bloke” he created a classic of a kind. He did not go to tho out-back for his character types, as did Henry Lawson, “Banjo” Paterson. and many other fine Australian lyrists, but found romance blossoming in the moan streets of a great city, and transplanted it with a firm touch into a poem of singular appeal, rich in humour, garnished with real types, not at all devoid of that “good in all” which the Banished Duke spoke of in another romance. Now we have the play, presented with curious fidelity by E. J. and Dan . Carroll at the Grand Opera House last evening before an ■audience which manifested a laughing delight in the working out of tho romance of Doreen and her forcible “Bill.” Mr. C. J. Dennis is to be congratulated on tho way he has turned his poem into prose, without sacrificing tho spirit of the z character types, he drew so well —types which have'become almost famous in the annals of Australian literature. Best of all, lie has carefully preserved their humour and “toughness,” so that we see Bill, Ginger Mick, Doreen, and her “Alar” in all their shabby glory speaking ’the language “full and free” of fipadger’s Lane at least as naturally as tho best of players speak the good English of Pinero, Wilde, or A. A. Milne. Of course a thread of a story had to be introduced to link up the episodes, and this wo got in the introduction of James Airey, a whiskered farmer, whom a gang of ruffians attempt to take down, but are frustrated by the ready fists of Bill, who even breaks his vow to'Doreen “to chuck tho stoush” in order to ‘'swing it” on to Steve Gunn and Spike Wegg, the crooks who would rob the old haysbedWhen Airey comes to know of tho good turn Bill has done him,. ho takes, to the Bioko, and finally places’ him on the farm of his dreams, whore, “livin’ an’ lovin’, life mooches on” ecstatically. But the charm of the comedy lies in its incidents —in Bill’s shy approach to tho trim little’fair-haired girl over whom ho has “doho his block”; in his embarrassing interview with “Mar,” with tho china dogs looking on; in the party Doreen gives in honour of her nuptials; in the sterling comradeship with the faithful Ginger Mick; and in the birth of Doreen’s child on the sunny Australian farm. And it is all acted with a naturalness and spontaneity which eliminate the strain of theatrical taint. The male characters are igpriderfully well cast. Mr. Walter Cornock as “the Bloke” is just “the kid” of onq’s fancy—‘quiet, strong, and forceful when needed, with clover pausation in embarassing situations that makes for conviction. A sterling characterisation is that of Mr. Tai Ordell as Ginger Mick./ This actor, gifted with a natural humour, and a perfect understanding of tho type, gets fairly into the skin of the part, and'Stays there until the curtain drops. Miss Eileen Alexander makes Doreen an enticing miss, who perhaps is just a trifle too refined for “ther tart who sticks on labels in a pickle joint,” but who never overdoes the sentimentalism of the character. Some orchids do well iii the mud—Doreen may be one of them. Edward Lander gave a, faithful study of old Janies Airey, and Miss Stella Payter is in the picture as “Mar” Darling. Good work is also done by Herbert Walton as Artie Apps, tza Crossley as Effie, Vivian Edwards as Steve Gunn, Jack Souter as . Spike Wegg. and Freddy Brown as Snorky Otten (the. “stror ’at coot”)., Tho comedy, which kept the audience simmering with laughter, is capitally produced by Mr.. Bert Bailey. Special music is provided by an orchestra under the direction of Mr. L. Weichard.