Billy is coming home
So Graham Reid the writer of the Billy plays confirmed with me on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Ulster's "Arts Extra" programme that he has written a new Billy play, which will be premiered at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast this Autumn. It's 30 years, next month,Ìýsince the first play wasÌýshown on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ network. A play for today from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Northern Ireland,"Too Late to talk to Billy" aired at 9.25pm on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 1Ìýon Tuesday the 6thÌýFebruaryÌý1982. It was theÌýfirst time people here got a chance to see themselves played back to themselves on screen. It was a significant moment for me asÌýI was allowed to sit up late to watch it!
ÌýI re-watched them a few years ago ahead of an event at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh which re-united Graham Reid, James Ellis, and Chris Parr the producer, among others on a panel discussion about the plays' importance.ÌýWith tv drama becomingÌýmuch more slick and cinematic in the last 30 years,Ìýaudiences have a more sophisticated televisual language.ÌýBut while there is a dated quality to some of the shots, with less cuts and pace than we expect now in tv editing, the passion of the writing and the energy of the central performances more than carry them.
To mark the 30th anniversary ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Northern Ireland is going all out to celebrate the Billy legacy.ÌýThe season begins on 5th of FebruaryÌý with a documentary talking to the writer, cast and crew about the making of the plays, followed by the first BillyÌýplay, andÌý³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Ulster starts a new series with people's memories of the plays on Monday 6th February at 11.55am.Ìý
Billy wasÌýKenneth Branagh's first job, leaving RADA before the end of his course, and finding himself back in his hometown of Belfast. Branagh is keen to reprise the role which launched his career, as is everyone else associated with the new play. They are in the rare position of having all the original cast still alive.
But Reid is sanguine, aware that with Branagh's recentÌýOscar nomination and roles pouring in, will he have time to squeeze in a play in Belfast?Ìý
IÌýdon't doubt that he will. He is passionate about the part, and I think he would crawl over hot coals to do it. Hopefully he won't have to do that! He has got the part!!
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Comment number 1.
At 7th Feb 2012, JoleBlon wrote:I was delighted to see that "Too Late to Talk to Billy" was on the I-Player (since I'd missed the re-showing on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳2 on Sunday), and even more delighted to learn that the other two plays will be shown as well.
"Too Late to Talk to Billy" has withstood the passage of time, in my opinion: as thought-provoking and moving and humorous as it was first time around, with increased depth because of my own life experiences.
Would there be plans to issue the plays on DVD/S as well? I'd certainly buy them!
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