Review by Tobias and Sam
At the Unicorn Theatre London (24 Sep – 30 Oct 2011)Sam (Chelsea fan) 4 Stars/ Tobias (Arsenal fan) 3 Stars
Parent View:
Highly entertaining, funny and very informative on the horror of War without getting too deep or graphic. Highly recommended to family’s with Kidz aged 8 years and up. Although the subject matter sounds ‘male’ targeted – the Football aspect of this play is not too intense and all members of the family will enjoy this show.
This autumn, the Unicorn Theatre revives its hit 2007 production, Billy the Kid, Michael Morpurgo’s story of a champion Chelsea footballer set against the backdrop of the Second World War.
Voted the Best Children’s Show of 2007 by Time Out Critics’ Choice, the production also reunites the original 2007 cast. Much-loved British actor Dudley Sutton returns to reprise his role as Billy.
Dudley’s long career, which began in the 1950s, includes many roles for theatre, film and television – but he is perhaps best-known for playing Tinker in the long-running BBC series, Lovejoy. Sam Donovan will return to play Sam. His theatre credits include Room on the Broom (Tall Stories) and Salome (Headlong). The only thing Billy ever wanted to do was play for Chelsea and his dream came true when he was signed by the club to become a champion striker for the first team. But that was 1939 and with the outbreak of the Second World War, Billy’s life changed forever.
The story is told through the eyes of Billy as an elderly man, who lives with Sam’s parents but spends his days on the park bench. Billy tells Sam about his past, his passion for football when he was a boy, and how he came to play for Chelsea. He recalls his memories from the War, when his life was turned upside-down.
Billy the Kid is a heart-warming story of football, war and dreams for children aged 8+ and their families. Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, former children’s laureate, author of War Horse and many other popular children’s books, the production is adapted and directed by Tony Grahambefore he leaves the Unicorn after fourteen years as Artistic Director.
