Billy Liar

Bored with his life as a downtrodden clerk working for an undertaker, Billy Fisher our antihero fantasises about his wish to become a famous script writer,

London based , of course, becomes entangled with three young ladies of totally different outlooks, is at loggerheads with his parents and has no real idea about his future.

The Thespians took on this play and delivered a very polished performance showing that even plays as well known as this one still have a massive appeal.

Marc Howland portrayed Billy as a likeable rogue, always looking for the easy way out and lying through his teeth at every occasion whether in jest or for real. This was a good characterisation.

Mother and father (Melanie Duff and David Griffiths) were two completely contrasting people, she the longsuffering wife who tried to protect her son through his follies and he, the father with loud commanding voice, full of oaths and swearing demanding that Billy reform from his idiotic ways and get on with real life, both gave what can only be described as first rate performances.

The three girls in Billy’s life, the demure, orange eating Barbara, Rita, a true firebrand who was very demanding, especially in the matter of retrieving her engagement ring which was now being worn by Barbara, and finally Liz, a girl of the modern world full of common sense and worldliness. These parts played respectively by Hannah Starke, Mel Walton and Hannah Keaveny were a delight to watch each giving good interpretations of their characters.

Billy’s friend, Arthur (Richard Watson) also working for the undertaker, showed a talent for accepting Billy as a huge joke but eventually the worm turned and he threatened him before going off with one of the so called girl friends.

However there is no doubt in my mind that the star of the performance was given by Stephanie Hopkinson as Grandma. She gave us a wonderful caricature of an old lady, at times making telling comments and at others being lost in her own private world of thoughts of the past where thing did not go smoothly and one had to make do and Billy should be made to toe the line. Her ventures into the things which plagued her, such as sitting in front of a fire which had too much coal on making her feel unwell and her strong resentment of not wishing to see a black doctor about her health were totally believable.

The costumes were completely within the period and it is good to know that much planning in this department takes place to make things authentic within the period of the play. The scenery was simple but effective with good use of the limited stage space and it was well lit.

Tania Smith, a member of the Thespians had obviously put a great deal of hard work into this production, which was her debut for the society and she has every right to be more than pleased with the resulting performance. This was an excellent first time.

Congratulations to all for a superb evenings entertainment.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.