Proud Haddock and Arsalan Sattari Productions today announce the transfer of Billy Bishop Goes to War to the Southwark Playhouse, following its successful run at the Jermyn Street Theatre. Charles Aitken (Younger Billy) and Oliver Beamish (Older Billy) reprise their roles. The production runs from15 March, with previews from 13 March, until 6 April.
Billy Bishop, a failing Canadian military college student, overcomes intense prejudice and astonishing danger to receive his wings to become the most successful fighter pilot of his generation. This compelling and darkly comic drama interrogates the nature of heroism and its cost while shining a light on the often-neglected complexities of Britain’s colonial past.
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 produced play in Canadian theatre.
Director Jimmy Walters today said “Billy Bishop Goes To War is a show we are incredibly proud of. Our reimagined interpretation of this renowned Canadian play-with-music, takes audiences on a journey through Billy’s extraordinary life, as it allows an older and younger Billy to tell this true story together. With the remarkable performances by our cast, the script by John Gray which is as poignant as it is uplifting, and the atmospheric musical score; This results in a production that I’m so excited more people will get the chance to see.”
