Billy Bishop Goes to War

Encounter with Eric Peterson, Billy Bishop's lead role

Billy Bishop Goes To War, a quintessentially Canadian classic, returns to the Montreal stage with the same star that’s been playing the lead role for 33 years.

Eric Peterson originated the role of Billy Bishop in 1978 in the musical he co-wrote with composer John Gray. It’s gone from humble beginnings in Canada to Broadway to London’s West End and back again, and is currently on at The Segal Centre Theatre.

Peterson is easily one of the hardest working men in Canadian show business. Most recently he created a Canadian icon with his portrayal of Oscar Leroy on the sit-com Corner Gas. Young fans of the show who recognize him in public still approach him asking to be called a jackass. Older Canadians might remember him from the prime-time lawyer drama Street Legal. But for many Eric Peterson is Billy Bishop, the storied Canadian war hero and flying ace.

Peterson and Gray have been performing Billy Bishop Goes To War in one form or another steadily over the years, reviving it at key moments in their lives. Their latest version (their second year with Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre), put Peterson back in the role when he was the same age Billy Bishop was when he died.

In the show Peterson plays up to 14 characters as Bishop recounts his life and adventures to the audience. This version “is by far the most satisfying one I’ve done,” Peterson says. “If feels like the first time we’ve ever done it.” This time around the play might be less about Bishop than it is about Peterson, ageing, and memory. “I almost know the lines now,” he jokes.

Canadians of any age love war stories. We perhaps romanticize the very harrowing real-life exploits of our soldiers. But Peterson, who joined me for a chat on my radio show on CJAD, reminds me that we are indeed still at war, at least until our troops come home next year from Afghanistan. He thinks of them when he performs the show, now, and hopes that audiences do as well. “I hope that Billy Bishop is not just about an exceptional Canadian but all Canadians who have sacrificed their lives” not just in WWI, WWII, and Korea, but in the past several years.

He is quick to point out, however, that Billy Bishop Goes To War is fun show, funny, with great characters, stories, and songs, and is a thoroughly enjoyable evening out.

The show is on at the Segal Centre until March 6. For tickets call 514-739-7944.