Metro Theatre’s 62nd Season continues with Billy Bishop Goes To War, on stage until November 30th. Written by John MacLachlan Gray in collaboration with Eric Peterson, it comes to Metro perfectly timed for Remembrance Day to celebrate the life of the First World War Flying Ace.
The two-man play stars Damon Calderwood, accompanied by pianist Chris Robson, portraying an older Billy Bishop reminiscing on his early military career, as well as playing 17 of the other characters in his life. Told through a collection of anecdotes and song, the production puts a light-hearted spin on the topic of war and a pivotal moment and persona in Canadian history.
Directed by Gerry Mackay, the play follows Billy Bishop, from Owen Sound, Ontario as he rose from a less-than-stellar academic record at the Royal Military College in Kingston, to the front-line skies over France and Germany where his 72 credited victories made him the top Canadian and British Empire ace of WWI, wrapping up as the celebrated air commander was engaged during the Second World War, in the creation of the British Commonwealth Air Plan.
Metro Theatre is reminiscent of an old-style music hall with its simple set of flag-draped piano, bistro table and propaganda posters (projected on the background). Chris Robson’s musical arrangements set the tone of the evening with a prelude filled with familiar sing-along tunes from the era, before sliding into Gray’s music and lyrics, which although written in 1978, feel right at home.
Calderwood is charismatic and engaging, like a kindly uncle at the family gathering, as he tells stories that seem so fantastic they might be at least a bit embellished. However, in the case of Billy Bishop, they’re true and in the case of this production of Billy Bishop Goes To War it is all fantastic.
A great way to honour veterans this Remembrance Day – be entertained while learning an integral part of Canadian history with Billy Bishop Goes To War, playing until November 30th at Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Drive. Visit metrotheatre.com for showtimes and tickets.