AustLit

Adapted from or inspired by Bruce Bairnsfather's character 'Old Bill,' from the enormously popular cartoon (Old Bill) and later West End musical (The Better Ole, 1917), this comedy/dramatic sketch is believed to have been first staged at Fullers' Majestic Theatre, Adelaide, in June 1919.

In its review of the premiere performance the Adelaide Register records: 'Mr Roy Redgrave and Miss Marie d'Alton [sic] were responsible for aching ribs among the audience. Mr Redgrave was "ole Bill" back from the war, and the way in which he explained that he killed so many of the enemy that there was nothing to go with was screamingly absurd. "Mrs Bill," added to the humour by her ardent belief in "Ole Bill's" good faith' (23 June 1919, 3).