Billy Bishop Goes to War

BY JOHN GRAY WITH ERIC PETERSON.

DIRECTED BY JIMMY WALTERS.

31 October -
24 November 2018

Overview

“It was a different world up there. A different war.”

Canada 1914. Billy Bishop signs up to fight in Europe and is soon in a military training camp. But one day, he spots a single-seater plane circling overhead. Overcoming intense prejudice and astonishing danger, Billy becomes the most successful fighter pilot of his generation. This play with songs explores the complexities of heroism, the cost of war, and Britain’s colonial past. A true story. A deceptively simple and totally gripping theatrical experience.

Billy Bishop Goes to War won the Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Award in 1981, the Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Award in 1982 and the Governor General’s Award for English Drama in 1982. It is the most performed play in Canadian theatre.

Jimmy Walters is Artistic Director of Proud Haddock. He previously directed The Dog Beneath The Skin at Jermyn Street Theatre. Other productions include Mrs Orwell (Southwark Playhouse) and The Trackers of Oxyrhynchus (Finborough Theatre).


People

Charles Aitken
Billy Bishop
Charles starred as Billy Bishop at Jermyn Street Theatre and has performed numerous roles for the RSC and the Old Vic.
Oliver Beamish
Older Billy Bishop
Oliver appeared in NT's War Horse and previously starred as Billy Bishop in Billy Bishop Goes To War at Jermyn Street Theatre.

John Gray
Playwright
Eric Peterson
Playwright
Jimmy Walters
Director
Daisy Blower
Set and costume design
Arnim Friess
Lighting design
Dinah Mullen
Sound design
Adam Gerber
Music


Media

“A gem of theatricality. Often funny, but just as often deeply moving.”
The New York Times

On Gray and Peterson's script
“Forever timely.”
Variety

On Gray and Peterson's script
“Incredibly moving.”
London Theatre 1
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“Superb.”
Skylark
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“Beautiful.”
The Stage
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“Absolutely phenomenal.”
Theatre Box
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“Captivating.”
Broadway World
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“Excellent.”
Everything Theatre
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“Extraordinary.”
Act Drop
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“Remarkable.”
The Reviews Hub
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“A pleasure.”
Musical Theatre Review
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“Poignantly beautiful.”
Libby Purves
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Entertainment Focus
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Reviews Gate
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Last Minute Theatre
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