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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-04-21, Page 23ntertainment Theatre review ‘Billy Bishop’ a must-see By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher The actors are 20 years older. The staging is more elaborate. The audience has paid several limes as much for a ticket. And yet Billy Bishop Goes to War is still as magical and enjoy­ able in 1999 at London's Grand Theatre as it was in 1979 at Blyth Memorial Hall. The world of Canadian theatre has changed since John Gray and Eric Peterson brought their little musical out of a warehouse theatre in Vancouver in 1978 and took the country by storm. But the 20th anniversary production of Billy Bishop proves a strong script and a great actor can still make the magic work. It’s a challenge though. At first at Friday night’s opening when Peter - 'son walked out on the huge Grand stage it, and the 800-seat auditori­ um, seemed like they might swal­ low him. It took a while to get the audience involved. By the end though, the power of his perfor­ mance, the wit, humour and pathos of Gray’s script, had the audience leaping to its feet in an instanta­ neous standing ovation. Peterson and Gray have made one subtle change in the script to adapt it to their age. The play now begins with a World War II vintage Bishop preparing to address new recruits preparing to go off and fight. He then goes backward to tell his own story from World War I. In many ways the changes make the story work even better by adding more layers of irony to the show. When, near the end, Bishop talks about the feelings of guilt about being a survivor when so many others died, it takes on more poignance because of the charac­ ter's age. It’s good to see Peterson back on stage again after years of doing television work. He is one of the treasures of Canadian theatre and now local audiences have a chance to sec him in a tour de force perfor­ mance. He plays not only Bishop as a middle-aged man and a brash young pilot, but a host of characters from a Cockney officer to the imperious Lady St. Holier with nothing more than a change of voice and a shift of his body. He takes the audience aloft to participate in dog fights over France, with just the power of his storytelling. He somehow fills the Grand’s stage, all by himself. It’s ironic that this 20lh anniver­ sary tour hits the major regional theatres like the Grand, Manitoba Atwood Lions every Thursday Doors open 6:30 p.m. Starts at 7:00 p.m. Jackpot $500. on 54 calls Pot of Gold $500. on 58 calls Loonie Bin To war The Grand Theatre presents John Gray’s Billy Bishop Goes to War, starring Eric Peterson. Gray is the piano player. The show runs through to May 1. (David cooper photo) HAPPY 40th Becky Guess Who! Theatre Centre and the National Arts Centre. In his introduction to the published version of the script, back in 1981, Gray tells how he and Peterson created the play because they couldn’t get work in the regional theatres. Confined to smaller theatres like Theatre Passe Muraille, they were always scrap­ ing for a living, until Billy Bishop Goes to War changed their lives forever. They became household names for those with any interest at all in. Canadian theatre. They tasted the champagne of Broadway in a not- altogether successful foray to American theatre’s big-time (Americans just didn’t understand the ironies of the play or care about a Canadian war hero) and they were the toast of the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. Gray went on to write other hit musicals like Rock and Roll and Don Messer's Jubilee while Peter­ son spent a comfortable eight sea­ sons on Street Legal, a hit CBC television show. The current production proves neither has lost his edge. Gray’s at A A .a. fcAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA i Buck <& Doe • for i Eric Weston & i Cherie Smith ' Friday, April 30,1999 Monkton Arena ! Music by DJ J Lunch provided < Tickets: $6.00 per person ! Age of Majority Required singing and accompaniment on piano are an acting performance of their own while Peterson is magnif­ icent. If you have any interest in theatre or any interest in Canadian history it’s a show not to miss. Play opens Sept. 2 Continued from page 3 generously loaded into the back of his pickup will undoubtedly find a place in the show too. Thompson is planning to use the whole Blyth theatre, not just the stage,-to create a truly spectacular event. Death of a Hired Man, sponsored by Ideal Supply and CKNX Radio, will open at the Blyth Festival Sept. 2 and run until Sept. 12. For money saving vouchers, tickets and information call the Box Office 523-9300 or toll free 1-877 TO BLYTH. CXPHO^ [ TWIN CINEMA 1 ■ SURROUND SOUND STEREO I LISTOWEL 291-3070 z STARTS FRIDAY ■■CINEMA 1 7 & 9 P.M. pg SUNDAY MATINEE 2 P.M. THE OUT OF z z TOWNERS z-GOLDIE HAWN, STEVE MARTIN CINEMA 2 7 P.M. pgzBABY GENIUSES■SUNDAY MATINEE 2 P.M. 9 P.M. #1 IN CANADA FOR JRD WEEKEMATRIX " KEANU REEVES CARLSON WAGQNLIT ELLISON TRAVEL EXETER www.ettravel.com THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1999. PAGE 23. Etienne comes to Blyth Canadian Parents for French, Huron-Perth, Goderich section, is bringing "Etienne" to Blyth and Goderich! "Etienne” is Steven Langlois, a full-time core French teacher from Stratford who has released 3 CDs of educational French songs. He is now on tour and will perform his motivational rockin', hip-hoppin' music across Canada. Each song teaches verbs, adjectives and other grammatical and thematical structures. His concerts are interactive and facilitate the learning of French. Students from schools in the area will be attending Etienne's concerts on April 27. Suck <£ Stae for John Brak & Heidi Dale Saturday, May 1 Blyth Community Centre Music by the Neat Guys For more informatiori call Brad 523-9622