Belfry Theatre
The Belfry Theatre has been producing plays since 1976 and has gone on to become one of Canada's most respected companies. The theatres is dedicated to producing contemporary plays with an emphasis on Canadian works and they strive to promote artistic, cultural and educational events in the Victoria region.
In the past twenty years, the Belfry has gone on to produce some 212 plays, of which 150 have been Canadian. Of those 150, 32 have become premiere productions. Several of the plays premiered at the Belfry have gone on to acclaim across Canada, the US, Australia and Europe.
Destination Victoria is dedicated to posting as many of the Belfry Theatre's performances and festivals as possible. Please check back often and feel free to post your comments on performances you've enjoyed.
LATE BREAKING NEWS
Ryan Beil takes Best Actor award for Billy Bishop Goes to War, Sarah Rodgers wins for Best Director
Our incoming production of Billy Bishop Goes to War (July 20 – August 14) won two Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards in Vancouver last night. Ryan Beil took home the award for Best Actor and Sarah Rodgers won for Outstanding Direction. Congratulations to them both. Read more >
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The Board of Directors and Staff of the Belfry Theatre invite you and a guest to attend the Opening Night performance of
BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR
Written and composed by John Gray in collaboration with Eric Peterson
Starring Ryan Beil and Zachary Gray
Directed by Sarah Rodgers
Thursday, July 22, 2010, 8pm
RSVP 250-385-6815 by July 15
Please join us for the opening night party with the cast following the performance. Tickets must be picked up by 7:30 pm the night of the show. Tickets will be released to the general public at 7:45pm. This invitation is subject to availability and is non-transferable.
John Gray and Eric Peterson’s classic Canadian musical makes its Belfry debut in an acclaimed new production.
"Do your heart a favour and break it by seeing Billy Bishop Goes to War…Beil and Gray fit hand in glove, whether singing beautiful harmonies or playing the part of pals in hell, their tight teamwork makes this show much more than the sum of its parts…you may well be moved to tears by this rich and timely return to a touching tribute." The Vancouver Sun
"I urge you to see this cocky, hilarious tour de force…Ryan Beil accomplishes the impossible…He takes one of the best-known plays in the Canadian theatrical canon and makes it howl on the stage as though it were just born. I was riveted…" Globe and Mail
06.22.2010 - Victoria, BC...From July 20 – August 14, 2010 the Belfry Theatre will present an acclaimed new production of Billy Bishop Goes to War, written and composed by John Gray in collaboration with Eric Peterson. Directed by Sarah Rodgers, Billy Bishop Goes to War stars Ryan Beil as Billy Bishop and Zachary Gray (from indie-pop band The Zolas) as the pianist, guitarist and narrator.
He was, and continues to be, our nation’s most decorated and controversial soldier. Growing up in Owen Sound, Billy Bishop was a ne’er-do-well. He left Kingston’s Royal Military College after caught cheating on an exam and joined a cavalry regiment at the outbreak of World War One. Miserable in the muddy trenches of France, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer. Later, with the considerable influence of Lady St. Helier, he was accepted into flight school. His 72 victories in the air (many of them still controversial) made him the top Canadian ace and earned him the Victoria Cross. With music, song and story, Billy Bishop Goes to War follows the flight of this misfit turned hero.
A Note from the Director – Sarah Rodgers
It has been an absolute thrill, adventure, and honour to direct this gem of a piece. Billy Bishop Goes to War celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. It premiered with Eric Peterson and John Gray at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre in 1978. Indeed, the three of us collaborating in this production have all been affected greatly by this play. Ryan Beil saw Eric Peterson’s return performance in 1998 and decided in that moment that he wanted to be an actor. Zachary Gray himself, well, rumour has it, was conceived on tour in the early days of Billy Bishop Goes to War. He is a Billy Bishop baby.
A few years ago over a beer in a Chemainus pub, Ryan Beil shared with me a story about his dear high school friend Zachary Gray. For Remembrance Day at their high school, Ryan had recited The Dying of Albert Ball and Zach had sung “Friends Ain’t S’posed to Die” on guitar. Suddenly, I was filled with excitement—the thought of doing a young, fresh version of Billy Bishop Goes to War sprung to mind. How wonderful to bring forth the ‘next generation’; a young, new sound to a beautiful show.
The idea of introducing a new instrument and actually having performers in their 20s (much closer to the actual ages of the young fighter pilots of WW1) appealed to me. Billy Bishop was 24 years old at the height of the war and his military career; many of the pilots shot down were barely 20. No performer under the age of 30 has ever played Billy Bishop until this production. I think that the role of Billy Bishop is like a Canadian Hamlet; actors get to their late 30s and think: “God, if I am ever going to get to play Billy Bishop, I have to do it now!”
Billy Bishop Goes to War is designed by Kevin McAllister (Scenery Designer), Itai Erdal (Lighting Designer), and Darryl Milot (Costume Advisor). Kim Charleen Smith is the Stage Manager. Ben Cheung is the Assistant Stage Manager.
Billy Bishop Goes to War is generously supported by Allison Piano, CHEK News, CFAX 1070, Times Colonist, the Canada Council for the Arts, the British Columbia Arts Council, the Province of British Columbia and CRD Arts.
Ticket Information
Tickets, on sale now, range in price from $23 - $38 (plus HST). Discounts are available for students (50% off for High School Students, 25% off for University and College Students). Tickets are available at 250-385-6815.
Performance Schedule (July 20 – August 14, 2010)
Mondays - Saturdays at 8 pm
Saturday Matinees at 4 pm
