Billy Liar | Bishopston Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS)

A comedy by Keith Waterhouse (died September 2009) and Willis Hall, from Waterhouse’s novel of the same name.

Performed by BATS at St. Teilo’s Church Hall, Bishopston on March 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th and 27th of March 2010.

Director/Producer

Denise Currell

Cast (in order of appearance)

‘Florence Boothroyd’ ~ Julie Greenwood
‘Geoffrey Fisher’ ~ Stewart Hiorns
‘Alice Fisher’ ~ Doreen Davies
‘Billy Fisher’ ~ Roger Bell
‘Arthur Crabtree’ ~ Tony Currell
‘Barbara’ ~ Sarah Govier
‘Rita’ ~ Sian Cole
‘Liz’ ~ Jessica Koole

Backstage

Stage Manager ~ Mike Turner
Assistant ~ Alan Bailey
Technical Manager ~ Alan Bailey
Prompt ~ Steve Nelson
Props ~ Julie Greenwood & Denise Currell
Costumes ~ Heather Cooper
Hair & Make-up ~ Julie Greenwood, Joyce Childs
Front-of-house, Refreshments ~ Malcolm Poole, Barry Cooper, Heather Cooper, Helen Gwilliam, Barbara Spear, David Spear, Ian Evans, Jill Poole, Geoff Davies, Mary Turner, Maureen Bailey, Val Hiorns, Jaimes Cooper, Ros Brace and Keith Gwynn

Director’s Note

Billy Fisher is a young Yorkshireman living at home with his parents and grandmother, who yearns to get away from his stifling existence. He fights the boredom of his humdrum job as an undertaker’s clerk by constant daydreaming and flights of fancy. Much of his fantasy life is centred on an imaginary country called Ambrosia, where Billy is the ruler and military hero. He also makes up stories about himself and his family to make life more interesting, earning him the nickname ‘Billy Liar’. Billy’s lying extends to his romantic life. He has proposed to two girls, the drippy Barbara and the brassy Rita, and lies constantly to get the ring from one to give to the other, whilst a third girlfriend, Liz, is the one who truly understands Billy, and the only one he has a genuine interest in.

The world described by Keith Waterhouse 50 years ago may have changed, but his hero is one we can all recognise. A modern-day Billy would spend his time tweeting fantasies on Twitter or creating a colourful life on Facebook. I would like to thank everyone involved and as always we have had a lot of fun bringing a play to life. We all hope you will enjoy it and will recommend to your friends that they come along to our next production. You will see some new faces in the cast and we are always looking for new acting members and those who prefer backstage work. Anyone wanting to join us can be sure of a very warm welcome.

Photos