1983 - BAWDY BILL PRESENTS, LORD NELSON AND JOSEPHINE (THEATRE RESTAURANT ON TOUR)
Venues Performed (45 performances)
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Penrith Leagues Club / Mario's Restaurant (Canberra) / Lismore RSL / Roma Restaurant (Taree) / Commercial Club (Albury) / Wagga RSL / Coffs Harbour Chinese Restaurant / Forbes RSL / Orange RSL / Dubbo RSL / Brewarrina RSL / Bourke RSL / Murwillumbah RSL / Narrabri RSL / Wellington RSL / Cooma RSL / Bega RSL / Balranald RSL / West Wyalong RSL / Hillston RSL / Lake Cargelligo RSL / Broken Hill RSL
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My first ever tour started on 13 January 1983 with a 15-show run at Penrith Leagues Club. It ended at the Broken Hill RSL on 22 April 1983.
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Maybe I answered an ad, but somehow I became part of the troupe, and after a couple of rehearsals, away we went.
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The lead actors, alongside show owner John Brownrigg (Bawdy Bill), were Gary Stamm (known for roles in "The Young Doctors" and "The Little Rascals") and Beth Herbert. The 3-piece band featured Bawdy Bill on bass, Chris Falson on guitar, and yours truly on piano/keys. ​
L-R: John, Gary, Beth, Chris and Geoff B
The show was a breakaway from Sydney's famous, Dirty Dicks Theatre Restaurant, which to my great surprise, still operates today. [Note to self: Go and check it out.]
I don't know the politics and history, but John created and operated the "Dirty Dicks" on tour version, and when the relationship between him and management soured, he went his own way. This may have also caused some legal headaches for John?
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Nevertheless, I remember it was a very entertaining show and we played mostly to full houses. Lots of cheeky little ditties, and every night I popped up from behind the piano to sing a limerick verse about "Lee, the plumber".
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It was a great experience, and I got to know my roommate, Chris, very well. After the show, we moved forward together, so you'll hear more about him if you read on.
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When the tour ended, I'm pretty sure the show folded. Shame really, but that's showbiz. Next!