By ALANA MITCHELSON
A group of Geelong actors, secondary students and poetry enthusiasts will recite a selection of CJ Dennis poems to mark a centenary since the publication of his famous Songs of a Sentimental Bloke.
Dennis was renowned for his interpretation of the Australian larrikin, portrayed through Ginger Mick, who sold rabbits to the poor and fought coppers with bricks.
Other Dennis characters included irascible ’original bloke’ Bill, Ben Bowyang, who despised politicians, and teller of tall stories Digger Smith.
Recital director and Geelong High School theatre teacher Doug Mann has recruited a diverse collection of 20 performers, ranging in age from 13 to 80 and with various levels of acting experience.
Mann said he wanted a group of “very different people“ who would not ordinarily mix.
“For a time in our history Dennis was the defining voice of the Australian character.
“His humorous, knockabout, sentimental characters spoke to the very heart of what it was understood to be Australian,” Mann said.
“Once upon a time you could find a copy of Songs of a Sentimental Bloke at one in every five Australian households.
“What always resonated with me was that, despite how rough his characters are on the exterior, they have hearts of gold.
“When I listen to some of the poetry I can hear my father and my grandfather’s voices because some of the slang is captured so perfectly in Dennis’s works.”
A couple of the student reciters have written music to perform the poems in song.
The evening will be in three parts: poetry conveying Dennis’s love of the bush and its creatures; a selection of works from Songs of a Sentimental Bloke; and some of the poet’s later works, such as his children’s poetry.
The recital begins 7.30pm on Thursday at Shenton Theatre, corner of Ryrie and Garden streets, Geelong.
Mann said more information was available by phoning him on 0414 650 277.
