SAG:  What drew you to this project?  Was it the part of Wal or the play itself? How do you see Wal?

DENNIS:      There have been over 50 productions and a feature film of Hannie Rayson’s “Hotel Sorrento”. I haven’t seen the film but I did see Hit’s production of the play many years ago, and I really liked the character of Wal – now I’m old enough to play the role so I was delighted to accept the offer when it came.

Wal is a good man and a good father but probably not the best of husbands, over his life he would have spent more time with his mates than he did with his wife. So, while he loved her he probably didn’t really listen to her or understand how she felt.

SAG:  At first glance it might seem to be the story of the 3 women, the sisters, but there are some lovely scenes between Wal and his grandson, Troy, which are important to the themes aren’t there?

DENNIS:  Troy (beautifully portrayed by Saxon Gray) has been without his Dad since he was six, so for the last 10 years Wal has been Grandad, Dad, and a really good mate to Troy. What I really like about them is that the Troy/Wal relationship is really warm & deep and it highlights Wal’s best quality – his loyalty to his mates and his family.

SAG:    It’s a really gripping story too.  The play premiered in 1991 and Hannie Rayson’s text explores personal issues around loss, betrayal, entitlement etc but, I think, they are wrapped tightly in a reflection of our cultural identity.  What does this production say to 2018 audiences do you think?

DENNIS:    This production, which is beautifully directed by Denny Lawrence, allows audiences to look back with nostalgia to 1992 and judge for themselves if we, as a nation, have moved on in the last quarter-century.

SAG:  Thanks again for talking with our readers, you are all over the country with this tour.  Where are you off to next and how are you finding the rigours of touring?

DENNIS:    After rehearsals in April we performed at several Melbourne metropolitan venues before embarking on an extensive tour of regional Victoria. The week commencing July 16th. we have 6 performances in Queanbeyan, Canberra. Then we perform at Sutherland on July 28th. and in the week commencing July 30th. we have 7 performances at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta.

After that we have performances at countless venues in NSW, QLD & VIC.

I’m so thankful to Christine Harris for choosing “Hotel Sorrento” to be Hit Productions’ 100th  touring play. I am delighted to be working on-stage with Mike Smith, Jenny Seedsman, Ruth Caro, Dion Mills, Kim Denman, Joanne Booth & Saxon Gray.

I believe “Hotel Sorrento” has earned it’s rightful place in the ranks of “iconic” Australian plays.

Touring nationally, HOTEL SORRENTO plays at Riverside Theatres [Facebook] 31st July to Sat 4th August.  

With thanks to Riverside Theatres, Sydney Arts Guide has two double passes to give away here.