King's Head Revives Billy Liar

North London fringe venue the The King's Head Theatre will revive Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall s classic musical Billy Liar for a seven-week season from 27 May 1998. Television star Paul Nicholls, in his London stage debut, takes on the lead role of Billy Fisher.

Billy Liar tells the story of a young Northern lad who dreams of escaping from his dreary existence. Trying to juggle two fiancées and one engagement ring, in trouble at work and at home, things reach crisis point for Billy when his Gran dies. His chance of escape appears when his long-time soulmate Liz arrives back on the scene. Can Billy leap from his dreams to escape with Liz to London?

The play was first presented in the West End in 1960 starring Albert Finney and is based on the novel of the same name by Waterhouse. It was subsequently made into a film starring Tom Courtenay and Julie Christie. Michael Crawford, who later found fame as the Phantom of the Opera, took the title role in the musical version a the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 1974.

Paul Nicholls is best known for his role as Joe in the popular UK soap opera EastEnders. This new production of Billy Liar is directed by Alex Walker, designed by Nigel Hook and produced by Julius Green and Ian Lenagan.

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