A young man dressed in World War One army uniform plays the piano as the audience takes its place in Little Theater. While the last few people trail in, a second man in uniform walks casually over to the piano. A song emerges from the two men. It's a song about fighting the Huns in World War One.
A musical about World War One? Yes. Make no mistakes about it. But don't write it off so quickly.
The play, Billy Bishop Goes To War, is written by the Canadian playwright/composer John Gray. It tells the story of a young man from rural Canada who joins the cavalry of WWI to escape expulsion from military school and persue adventure. After being in the army for a short time, he sees a plane land to ask for directions and is drawn to the airforce. Eventually, through skill and luck, he finds himself the best killer in the British airforce.
The tradition of Canadian theatre has a much more conversational flavor, with less emphasis on the fourth wall. There are moments when the protagonist will engage the audience directly, something that makes some people feel uncomfortable, but it remains non-intrusive. He doesn't take any hostages or do a lap, though he may look you in the eye.
The play gives senior Ben Grubb, who directs and stars as Billy, the chance to explore a huge variety of theater. He is accompanied by pianist Seth Fruiterman. He plays both sides of conversations. He writes letters to his honey back home.
It is clear that Grubb had plenty to work with over the last year and a half that this has been on his mind. Ben's performance can carry most of weight of the time between WWI and now, but there are times when the pacing is slow. The accents of his British characters falter and the line between the two voices he is trying to express becomes blurred, a problem that is common to these kind of solo performances.
The show has a humorous touch, but is essentially a war story. We are disconnected from what World War One was like and the kind of involvement with life and death experiences that the people who fought in it experienced.
The youthfulness in Ben's portrayal of Billy Bishop captures the innocence of his character, but not the darkness of the killing machine that he becomes.
For the most part, he pulls off this show well. It runs an hour and a half, a little long to be watching one person, but except for a few lags, the variety and humor keep the energy going.
A hit: Billy Bishop Goes to War. plays this weekend in Little Theater. (photo by Stephen Menyhart)
Copyright © 1999, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 127, Number 19, April 9, 1999
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