Billy Bishop Goes to War 2nd Edition

by John MacLachlan Gray, Eric Peterson

One of Canada’s most successful and enduring musical plays, Billy Bishop Goes to War was first published in 1982 and went on to win the Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Award and the Governor General’s Award for Drama. In 2010, the celebrated story of the World War I flying ace � credited with seventy-two victories and billed as the top pilot in the British Empire � was revised to frame the original play as a retrospective. It is the same play it always was � the difference is in the telling. Billy Bishop now appears in his later years, reflecting on his wartime exploits, and on the business of war and hero making. Bishop’s reminiscence is not so much about the horror and death of war as it is about being young and intensely alive. �The prime of life / The best of men,” Bishop sings, �It will never be / Like this again.”

A memory play about war, Billy Bishop has been going into battle onstage for more than thirty years. The Canadian classic is revisited in this second edition, where war is still a terrible thing, but some men say it was the greatest time of their lives. It’s about the ironies and the price of survival.

The play format is deceptively simple with a solo narrator who assumes multiple roles while his piano-playing sidekick offers sardonic musical comments.

Cast of 2 men.

Genres: Plays, Canada, Drama, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Read For School, Historical

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I don't know if this is memory is absolutely true, but I am going to tell it anyway.

I was born into a family that cared nothing for theatre (this much is true), so the first show I saw was on a field trip to Calgary's Heritage Park with my grade 6 class. Heritage Park is one of those old pioneer parks in North America (Canada in this case), where old heritage buildings are saved and replanted in an inner city park. My favourite building is the old Canmore Opera House, a theatre moved from the mountains to the safety of Heritage Park in the foothills, and still used to this day as a home for weddings and, occasionally, shows. Anyhow, somewhen in the eighties, I saw my first stage show -- Billy Bishop Goes to War.

I am pretty sure I saw it with the original boys in their original roles, Eric Peterson (Oscar from Corner Gas) and John Gray (piano man extraordinaire). I find myself thirty-odd years later teaching their play at university and rejoicing in their work.

These men made me love theatre. They transported me in elementary school and instilled a love for theatre that has stuck with me for decades, and to be able to introduce others to them now is a privilege. Plus, they capture so much of what it is to be Canadian (and with no references to hockey or Tims -- thanks boys!) that I want Eric for PM and John for GG. That seems fair, right?

If you get the chance, buy their revival from iTunes and enjoy the brilliance of these two artists. Their filmed version isn't quite as mindblowing as their stage performance, but it showcases their mad talents.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found that I couldn't take the content seriously while watching the videotaped production from 1982. One man shows are no longer particularly popular (at least not in my world), so I couldn't take it seriously. The print version was an entirely different kettle of fish.

Based on the career of a real Canadian war hero, Billy Bishop, this play accurately illustrates the war machine in my mind. It captures the mentality and beliefs of 1914. This was the war that was going to end all wars; this was the war that killed a generation of colonial men and European men who were barely old enough to shave, who had no idea what they were really signing up for. This was the war that made it a sin to survive it.

Encompassing trench soldiers, cavalrymen, and flyboys, I think this play has great historical significance, and not only for Canada. I hope that came through in my ramblings above.

[Meet Me For Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Billy Bishop Goes to War is a Canadian play that showcases a Canadian soldier's experience in the First World War. This play is written in a rather odd style but, is enjoyable and has very powerful words.

[Christina Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

The image of WWI aviation heroism in Canada calls to mind dangerous scenes of bi-planes flying out over no-man’s land searching out enemy aircraft and shooting them down - hot-shot Aces returning to base having increased their number of kills. In Canadian WWI aviation history, no one stands out more than Billy Bishop, the number one Canadian Flying Ace, with 72 kills, the third highest number in the war (after the Red Baron and René Fonck) and the highest in the British Empire. Bishop’s legendary accomplishments, their veracity being sometimes in question, are nonetheless the stuff of great stories and John MacLachlan Gray’s “Billy Bishop Goes to War” is the perfect homage to the man and his exploits. A fast-paced, humorous and active play, “Billy Bishop Goes to War,” with its two-person cast (Bishop plays a host of other characters alongside his piano playing companion), must be incredibly dynamic and intimate as a live performance. Gray’s play demonstrates an unusual versatility in its delivery. The play is written in such a way that there is a possibility of two different experiences dependent on the age of the actor playing Billy Bishop - the lines are almost the same in both versions, but the tone and emotionality change with the younger Bishop experiencing nostalgia and a certain bravado as Canada heads into WWII, and an inflection of a lifetime of reflection in the older man’s delivery. “Billy Bishop Goes to War” is an incredible play that contributes to capturing the essence of the Canadian experience during WWI.

[Rob Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a Speech Arts monologue where I would portray multiple characters for my colleagues and instructors. It was my most challenging performance (June 2023) and I loved it.

I settled on the scene where Billy Bishop goes to the war office and meets Sir Hugh. I did not realize there was a 2nd edition to this book in which the dialogue has changed from the 1st edition. I went with the 1st edition book so be sure you select the correct edition for what you would like to read or present.

[Cecily Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite plays we studied in university. Basically a two man play (ones job mostly to play piano) gives a strong sense of story telling of Billy Bishop's experience going to fight in a war that he has no skill to be a part of but manages to climb the ranks of the air force until he is sucked into the British pro war propaganda for future soldiers. I had the chance to see this performance and I was drawn in. Great read.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it and I hope I get the chance to see it performed one day. It must be even better with the music. I'm surprised at its nuanced treatment of the subject matter considering it's about the most famous Canadian war hero of the twentieth-century. It's pretty hilarious to me that this quintessential Canadian hero's rise to fame is basically the definition of failing upwards.

[a.quiet.little.library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how he oscillates between patriotic and disdainful of the war. My biggest issue was honestly just with watching it alongside the play so I could hear the songs, while there are a few comedic moments, the audience was laughing a lot and it was not meshing with my perspective of the play so not sure what that disconnect is about

[Tara Kruyt · Rating 4 out of 5]

never cared much for theatre until having to read some for uni (currently in a Modern Canadian Theatre course), & this felt like opening up a whole new door of the literary world. writing a term paper on the repetitive role of music in delivering emotional truths that transcend the literal plot & engage the audience on a far more visceral / social level.

[Joti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS MORE THE SECOND TIME AROUND!!!

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5!

[Emjay Hein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am only logging this because I need to get closer to my reading goal. Lolz. It was a fun read though I didn’t mind it. (I had to do it for and English class)

[Deb Mohr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spotted this book because I thought I recognized the cover picture. Sure enough, Eric Peterson played the part of Billy Bishop, on stage. A enjoyable, quick read. #1465

[Cheryl Hodges-selden · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a theater fan you’ll enjoy this one. Must’ve been great onstage.

[Micha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so biased when it comes to Billy Bishop on account of working inside his house for the past two summers relaying all of his personal history to tourists and hearing so many stories from veterans of how he influenced and inspired them to join in WWII (veteran pilots, in particular). This is Canada's most famous musical (Anne of Green Gables: The Musical comes in second), I think of probably four musicals total. It really is well done, very appealing, and very funny, and throughout has that Canadian fear of glorifying ourselves, even deservedly.

[Annabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this at University while studying in Canada (surprise surprise!) and I found it was my least favourite text on the module. I loved WW1 literature but this just didn't hit the spot for me. I really disliked the 'musical'/play format and it was nowhere near emotive enough for a piece of war literature. It is of course more difficult for plays to portray emotions, relationships or even descriptions, by nature, but this play really fell short of the mark on all of these.

Patriotic Canadians seem to enjoy this play more than others, I was disappointed.

[Deodand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a mandatory play to read in my English 30 class. I enjoyed it in spite of its...Canadianness? There doesn't seem to be much celebration of Canadian culture in the Canadian spirit. We have a very Scots way of shushing everyone who dares to toot their own horn. Like Billy Bishop, for example.

[Sasha]

Fantastic. A unique play with beautiful music and set, as well as an amazing story that goes from being extremely funny to chillingly somber so quickly, its an emotional roller coaster. But you are so wrapped up in the actor's story telling that you hardly notice.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my very favourite play, so I am very biased. My only complaint is that the score is not included - which may have something to do with copyright issues. All in all I love it and I'll read it a million times, no doubt!

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

**

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very entertaining and insightful. At the same time I don't think I could take it seriously viewing it as a one man play.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

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