The Sunshine Club – Forge Theatre Presents program

The Sunshine Club
Written and directed by Wesley Enoch Music by John Rodgers

Set in 1946, the joyful and acclaimed musical The Sunshine Club, tells the story of Aboriginal soldier Frank Doyle, who is just returning home to Brisbane after serving in WW2, to find that, while the world may have changed, the same attitudes and prejudices still exist at home. But this only fills Frank with a strong desire to change things for the better by setting up The Sunshine Club. A place where all people are welcome to come together, laugh, romance and dance the night away as Frank sets out to win the heart of Rose, the girl from next door.

The Sunshine Club is a gloriously energetic, thought provoking and above all entertaining night of theatre.

CAST
Rose Morris – CLAIRE WARRILLOW
Aunty Faity Doyle – ROXANNE MCDONALD
Reverend Percy Morris – DALE PENGELLY
Pearl Doyle – NAARAH
Dave Daylight – TIBIAN WYLES
Peter Walsh/Doorman/Jimmy – TRENT OWERS
Pauly O’Brien/Bill Harris/Ghost – COLIN SMITH
Patti Maguire/(Rose Cover) – SAMANTHA LECLAIRE
Mavis Moreton/Lorry Hocking – JADE LOMAS-RONAN

‘The Sunshine Club is essential viewing – foremost for the joyous musical talent of its cast, but also for its story of local history and optimistic message of community strength in diversity.’ – Stage Whispers

‘The Sunshine Club is a show everyone needs to see. You will be confronted by our history and asked to reflect on our present. You will be left with pain of how fair black and white Australia need to go, but hope that through telling stories, we will get there.’ – Broadway World

‘Humorous, thought-provoking and realistic, The Sunshine Club explores Australia’s sometimes shameful past relations with its indigenous people by revealing the little-known existence of mixed-race dancing clubs that sprung up around the nation after the Second World War.’ – Variety