The Second World War resulted in the deaths of around 85 million people. Additionally, tens of millions more people were displaced. However, amid all the carnage people demonstrated remarkable courage, fortitude, compassion, mercy and sacrifice. We would like to honour and celebrate all of those people. In the War Years Blog, we examine the extraordinary experiences of individual service personnel. We also review military history books, events, and museums. And we look at the history of unique World War Two artefacts, medals, and anything else of interest.
Review: Billy Bishop Goes to War at the Jermyn Street Theatre
In this blog post, we review the latest production of the musical drama Billy Bishop Goes to War at the Jermyn Street Theatre. The production recounts the extraordinary life and career of Canadian WW1 flying ace Billy Bishop. The play is running Wed, 31st October - Sat, 24th November 2018.
Usually, just two words would deter me from buying tickets to a show: musical theatre. So, it was with some trepidation that I accepted an invitation to watch the latest production of Billy Bishop Goes to War at the Jermyn Street Theatre, London. However, the moment actor Oliver Beamish began playing the piano and started to sing, I immediately knew I could strap myself in, sit back and enjoy the ride. In that tiny theatre, as intimate as any cockpit, with consummate professionals at the controls, we would navigate the career of WW1 Canadian flying ace Billy Bishop.
Written by John Gray with Eric Peterson, Bill Bishop Goes to War tells the wartime story of William (Billy) Avery Bishop during the period 1914 to 1917. The play also touches briefly on Billy’s military contribution during the Second World War. Billy made for an unlikely hero. He showed no promise as a young cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), where he failed his first year and was caught cheating. He was somewhat accident-prone, and suffered bouts of stress-related illness. Nevertheless, he found himself commissioned as a cavalry officer and shipped across the North Atlantic to England in 1915. Two ships in his convoy were torpedoed by German U-boats with the loss of over 200 men.
While stationed in France during the summer of 1915, Billy transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) as an observer. In March 1917, he became a pilot joining the 60 Squadron at Filescamp Farm near Arras. At that time, the average life expectancy of a new pilot was just 11 days. Once again, Billy’s career as a pilot got off to a shaky start. He crash-landed his aircraft during a practice flight in front of General John Higgins. However, within a few short months, Billy was awarded the Victoria Cross for a solo attack against a German aerodrome. By August 1917, he had surpassed the late Albert Ball’s tally of “kills”. Billy was on his way to becoming one of the conflict’s greatest fighter aces. After a brief period of leave in Canada, where he got married, Billy returned to the fray. Eventually, he was promoted out of harm’s way as Officer Commanding-designate of the Canadian Air Force Section of the General Staff, Headquarters Overseas Military Forces of Canada. By the war’s end, he had claimed 72 aerial victories, including two balloons.
During World War Two, Billy Bishop was appointed Director of the Royal Canadian Air Force and placed in charge of recruitment. In 1942, he appeared as himself in the Hollywood movie Captains of the Clouds. In 1944, Billy’s old foe stress-related illness forced him to resign. He died in his sleep on 11 September 1956, aged 62.
The Jermyn Street Theatre is a small, subterranean gem. The intimacy of the space and excellent set design by Daisy Blower created the feeling of being in a First World War dugout. Packed with the memorabilia of the older Billy’s extraordinary life, even the most mundane items such as a suitcase and an old red armchair were transformed into meaningful props. In a time when audiences can be blasé about multi-million dollar movie special effects, it was wonderful to see a swinging lamplight create the illusion of movement as Billy crossed the ocean aboard the ship Caledonia. A vessel designed to ship cattle, not men.
First staged in 1978, this revival of Billy Bishop Goes to War has more than a touch of the BBC sitcom Blackadder Goes Forth. Directed by Jimmy Walters, this musical drama moved seamlessly between comedy and tragedy. Actors Charles Aitken and Oliver Beamish did a brilliant job of portraying Billy in his youth and later life. They immediately established a wonderful rapport with the audience. Oliver Beamish provided the piano and musical accompaniment while Charles Aitken brought amazing physical energy to the performance. The two actors played an additional 17 characters. I particularly liked Charles Aitken’s Lady St. Helier, Billy’s patron in London society. He seemed to be channelling actress Frances de la Tour.
As the Jermyn Street Theatre is a registered charity, I was a little disappointed that the small auditorium was not sold out, and about a third of the seats were empty. I was also surprised the production is only running until 24 November 2018. Just days before the centenary of the end of the First World War, Billy Bishop Goes to War reminds us of the immense courage, perseverance and sacrifice of ordinary men who served in the “Great War”. The drama also examines the tensions between the British establishment and its “colonial” cousins, who were good enough to fight and die for the empire while being widely regarded as second-class citizens. Overall, the show is a wonderful, poignant piece of musical theatre that teaches us ordinary people can do the most extraordinary things.
Production photography courtesy of Robert Workman
Billy Bishop Goes To War
In this blog, we share the official press release for the WWI musical-drama Billy Bishop Goes To War at the Jermyn Street Theatre, London, between 31st October and 24th November 2018. This striking drama is based upon the true story of young Billy Bishop, a failing military college student who became Canada’s indomitable flying ace, the most successful pilot of his generation.
Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6ST
Wednesday 31 October – Saturday 24 November 2018
Coinciding with the centenary of the end of World War I, Proud Haddock is reviving Billy Bishop Goes To War as part of their War Season and Jermyn Street Theatre’s Rebels Season. This striking drama is based upon the true story of young Billy Bishop, a failing military college student who became Canada’s indomitable flying ace, the most successful pilot of his generation.
Billy Bishop Goes To War will star Charles Aitken (The Knick, Cinemax; Happy Death Day, Universal Pictures; King Lear, Royal Shakespeare Company) as Billy Bishop with Oliver Beamish (Coronation Street, ITV; Blood Brothers, Lyric Theatre; War Horse, The New London Theatre) as the Older Billy Bishop, who will also provide the piano and musical accompaniment. Between them, they will play a further 17 parts as they recount this extraordinary tale.
In 1914, Billy Bishop, aged only 20, signed up to fight in the Great War. A failing and bullied student, he overcame intense prejudice and astonishing danger to receive his wings and become the top fighter pilot. Through a combination of bravery and sheer luck, Billy was able to find his place and prove his worth. He became a true Canadian hero.
Brought to life with songs of the period, Billy Bishop Goes To War vividly transports the audience across the landscape of World War I, from the thick mud of No Man’s Land to the drawing rooms of the British aristocracy. 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 during the War.
Written by John MacLachlan Gray in collaboration with Eric Peterson, the play returns to London for the first time in over 35 years. Billy Bishop Goes To War is the deceptively moving and totally gripping account of one man’s life in World War I.
Director Jimmy Walters comments, Proud Haddock’s War Season continues with Billy Bishop Goes To War. This is a true story with lots of heart. Billy wasn’t the most academic student, was bullied at school and faced prejudice when he arrived in England during the First World War yet he overcame all of this to become the greatest fighter pilot of his generation. It’s an inspiring story that is a privilege to revive.
For more information download a copy of this press release.
To book ticket visit http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/. The play runs between Wednesday 31October and Saturday 24 November, 2018.
Drama Revival Explores the Tragedy of Chemical Warfare
This autumn, Proud Haddock will bring Tony Harrison’s lyrical play Square Rounds to the Finborough Theatre for its first UK production in nearly 30 years since its rediscovery. Based on true events, this highly original play explores the devastating impact of chemical warfare and weapons of mass destruction.
This autumn, Proud Haddock will bring Tony Harrison’s lyrical play Square Rounds to the Finborough Theatre for its first UK production in nearly 30 years since its rediscovery. This all-female ensemble cast will star Gracy Goldman, Letty Thomas, Amy Marchant, Philippa Quinn and Rujenne Green.
Based on true events, this highly original play explores the devastating impact of chemical warfare and weapons of mass destruction. In the year that marks the centenary of the end of the First World War, this revival has never been timelier.
Performed entirely in verse, Square Rounds follows the lives of Fritz Haber, a German-Jewish chemist, and American inventor Hudson Maxim, brother to Hiram Maxim - the inventor of the machine gun. Through their experiences, this play will shine a light on the intricacies of escalating tensions between nations in the build-up to the First World War.
Fritz has been ordered by the Kaiser in Germany to develop a deadly poison gas to help Germany win the First World War but Hudson is concerned for his country, his brother, and the frightening technological advances employed by America’s new European enemies. Believing his new invention will be an opportunity to escape his status as an outsider in German society, Fritz is unaware that his work will go on to be used to exterminate his own people in the Holocaust just 25 years later.
Director Jimmy Walters comments, “We are delighted to be back taking on another Tony Harrison play, not least because it will be the first of two plays we are staging to mark the 100-year anniversary of the First World War. The content of this play is so fascinating that we all cannot wait to begin rehearsals and explore these characters in even further detail.”
Notes to Editors
Title: Square Rounds
Performance Dates: Tuesday 4 September – Saturday 29 September 2018
Tuesday - Saturday Evenings, 7.30 pm
Saturday, 3.00 pm (from 15 September)
Sunday, 3.00 pm
Running time: 2 hours (including a 15-minute interval)
Age Guidance: 16+
Location: Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED
The Finborough Theatre is a 5-minute walk from Earl's Court Underground Station (District and Piccadilly Lines) and a 5-minute walk from West Brompton Station (District Line and National Rail).
Box Office Tickets are available priced from £18 (£16 concessions) until Sunday 16th September and then £20 (£18 concessions) from Tuesday 18th September. Call 01223 357 851 or book online at www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk