Billy Bishop Goes to War

Originally performed by Eric Peterson (Corner Gas) and accompanied by John Gray on the piano, it premiered in November 1978, in the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Since then it has gone on to be one of two internationally acclaimed Canadian musicals. ÒBilly Bishop Goes to WarÓ was presented with the 1981 Los Angeles Drama Critics' Award, the 1982 Chalmers Canadian Play Award and the 1983 Governor General's Award for drama.

This captivating musical narrative asks a contemporary audience to follow the riveting true-life adventures of a Canadian World War One flying ace as he attempts to reconcile the ecstacy of flying with the horrors of war. Bishop became one of only a handful of Canadian pilots to fight for the Allies in the Great War. Flying over France, he claimed 72 victories, won the Military Cross and Victoria Cross, was promoted to Major and then Lieutenant-Colonel.

A First Impressions Theatre Production