Acknowledgements A Letter from the Co-Artistic Directors

Granting Agencies elcome to The Golden Apple Thea- City of Regina W tre’s first production for the 2011- 2012 season. We were heartened by the Golden Gem response to last year’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well & Living in Paris and our The Golden Apple Theatre Board of Directors wonderful concert from Paul Nolan and The Ursan Family Chilina Kennedy, Stars of the Stratford Andorlie Hillstrom Festival. As many of you will know, Paul Robert Ursan and Chilina went straight to the Strat-

ford Festival, after being in Regina, to Andorlie Hillstrom Robert Ursan Golden Delicious thunderous acclaim in Jesus Christ Super- Co-Artistic Directors Class Act Performing Arts Studios (Rehearsal Hall) star. The two are soon off with the production to Broadway in New York. We could Leader-Post (Print Media Sponsor) not feel luckier to have had them perform for us or prouder of their remarkable ac- Western Litho Printers (Print Sponsor) complishment.

The Golden Apple Theatre is so thrilled to have you here for our next adventure. Golden Russet Goes to War is a classic of Canadian theatre, a show lauded and applaud- sharpshooter photography (Photography Sponsor) ed across and the world. John Gray and Eric Peterson created a work of great charm and deep emotion – the humour and sorrow that accompanies a truly Golden Grimes full life. As performed by Ryland Alexander and Wayne Gwillim this will be a show to Culligan (Water Sponsor) be remembered.

Later this season, we are delighted to present two sets of performances to coincide A La Mode with the creation of a new recording. Making Love in a Canoe—a revue of Canadian Jack Burtney Musical Theatre—made an appearance as the Cabaret performance, which helped Ted Yanko & PJB Primetime launch our company in February of 2010. Since that time its creator, Regina’s own Kyle Golemba, has performed this work in and at the Stratford Festival. We Patron are pleased to present the first theatrical run of this revue as Kyle and his musical director, Adam White, release the recording of this wonderful material. Virginia Wilkinson Our final presentation will be a concert of material old and new presented by Joel Supporter Stratton. This talented singer and songwriter will be performing material he is work- ing on for an upcoming recording—an evening not to be missed. Tressa Bosley, Realty Executives Faith Realty MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP Thank you for supporting The Golden Apple Theatre. We are proud of our Saskatch- ewan roots and of being able to provide theatre work to professional artists either from or currently living in the province, and to provide you with eve- Friend nings of astounding entertainment. As we grow we want people to know that The Bach & Beyond, Mysteria Gallery, Cobb Swanson (Ticket Outlets) Golden Apple Theatre is committed to those with roots in this province and will, Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre with your continued support, be able to nourish homegrown talents and help them The Regina International Fringe Theatre Festival blossom and thrive. Regina Lyric Musical Theatre Enjoy the production!

Thank You Andorlie Hillstrom & Robert Ursan Co-Artistic Directors #34 Roland J. Groome Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets To all the Volunteers Director’s Notes Board of Directors

Aircraft Lost Sean Goalen

Country Aircraft Airships Andorlie Hillstrom Germany 246 11 Karen Piper Austria-Hungary 35 1 Britain 110 6 Greg Popowich France 160 4 Jodi Sadowsky Russia 300 11 Belgium 25 - Robert Ursan

Edward Willett Estimated Cost of WWI (for each of the major countries involved) Troops War Cost www.GoldenAppleTheatre.com Deployed Killed Wounded in Dollars [email protected] Allied Powers 42,188,810 5,152,115 12,831,000 $125,690,477,000 Central Powers 22,850,000 3,386,200 8,388,448 $60,643,160,000 Total 65,038,810 8,538,315 21,219,448 $186,333,637,000

Here, dead we lie because we did not choose To live and shame the land from which we sprung. Life, to be sure, is nothing much to lose. But young men think it is – and we were young… - A. E. Houseman 1917

Just a few things to keep in mind while you watch this remarkable story of Billy Bishop unfold…

Robert Ursan Director

John Gray & Eric Peterson

John Gray was born in on September 29, 1946, but he was raised in Nova Scotia, where he began his musical career by playing the Hammond organ and the trumpet in a local band. He co- founded the experimental and collective Tamahnous Theatre in in 1971; Tamahnous would be the resident theatre compa- ny of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre from 1977 until 1985. From 1975-1982, he contributed music to many productions at Theatre Passe Mu- raille in Toronto. Much of his work centers on themes and aesthetics of Canadian nostalgia. He wrote his first musical, 18 Wheels, in 1976. Gray has written many plays, articles, and novels; he wrote his most famous work, Billy Bishop Goes to War, in 1978.

John Gray (L) & Eric Peterson (R)

Selected Awards: 1981 – Los Angeles Drama Critics Award (Billy Bishop Goes to War) 1982 – Chalmers Canadian Play Award (Billy Bishop Goes to War) 1983 – Governor General’s Award, Drama (Billy Bishop Goes to War) 1989 – Honorary Doctorate, Mount Allison University 2000 – Order of Canada

Eric Peterson was born October 2,1946 in Indian Head, Saskatchewan. His first profes- sional experience was as a stage manager in England. In Canada, he co-founded Tamahnous Theatre in Vancouver in 1971, and collaborated with John Gray on Billy Bishop Goes to War. Peterson moved to Toronto in 1974 to join the performers at The- atre Passe Muraille. His first high-profile role was in the play 1837: The Farmers’ Revolt. He is also very well-known for his television work, in particular for Street Legal and Cor- ner Gas.

Selected Awards: 1980 – Clarence Derwent Award, Most Promising Male (Billy Bishop Goes to War) 1987/1989/1992 – Gemini, Best Actor (Street Legal) 1996 – Honorary Doctorate, University of Saskatchewan 2008 – ACTRA Toronto Award of Excellence, “For a significant body of work and union activism” 2007 – Gemini, Best Ensemble () 2009 – Earle Grey Award, Gemini Lifetime Achievement Award 2010 – Order of Canada

Photo by Alex Waterhouse-Hayward Cast & Crew Ryland Alexander Ryland Alexander is a recently returned Regina-based artist who has had the good fortune of working across the country and overseas. He recently finished filming 13 Eerie with Mind’s Eye Entertainment and enjoyed being a WWI hero by day and a zombie at night during this rehearsal process. Selected credits include: Theatre—As You Like It, A Christmas Carol, Julius Caesar (Citadel Theatre), Keeping Peace (Surreal SoReal Theatre), Are We There…Yet? (Concrete Thea- tre), Creation of the World and Other Business, Progress and Procrastination, Never Swim Alone (The System Theatre), Love’s Labour’s Lost, Henry IV Part I, The Taming of the Shrew, and Julius Caesar (Shakespeare In The Park). Film—Blood in the Wa- ter (Discovery Channel), InSecurity, The Englishman’s Boy, Prairie Giant: The Story (CBC), Hemmorage (Independent). Education—MA in Theatre Practic- es (Directing) Rose Bruford College, BFA in Drama (Acting) University of Alberta.

Wayne Gwillim Wayne Gwillim is a Toronto-based musician. He grew up on a farm between Strasbourg and Duval—85 km north of Regina—and is a graduate of Luther College High School. Wayne was involved with musical and theatrical organizations while living in Saskatchewan, including Regina Lions Jr. Band, Do It With Class, and Regina Lyric Musical Theatre. After graduation, he pursued studies at University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music. Wayne now makes his living as a free- lance music director, arranger, and vocal coach. Recent credits: assistant music di- rector for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Sound of Music (Mirvish Pro- ductions), alternate keyboardist/vocalist for Jersey Boys (Dancap Productions), and several seasons at the Shaw Festival. Billy Bishop marks Wayne’s first professional The perfect holiday gift... gig in his home province.

Robert Ursan (Director) Robert was born and raised in Regina. Four degrees and many per- formances across Canada and Britain later, he returned to Saskatch- The Best of Broadway ewan to work and write. Since returning he has directed 64 shows The Songs You Know and Love and music directed a further 57. As a teacher, he has taught stu- dents who have performed in major theatres in Canada, the UK and Directed by Jane Ursan

the US. As a writer, he has written operas, musicals and plays. His Enjoy a three-course meal in the magnificent surroundings of the Hotel Saskatchewan’s works have been heard on the CBC and from the Brooklyn Academy Regency Ballroom, followed by a program featuring the memorable music of Broadway in New York to the Canadian Embassy in Moscow.

Regina Lyric Musical Theatre’s Annual Fundraiser

The Golden Apple Theatre engages, under the terms of the Independent Theatre Agreement, February 5 & 12, 2012

professional Artists who are members of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Meal at noon, show at 1 p.m. Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR is presented by special arrangement with the

Colonial Repertory Theatre Company, Vancouver, BC. Tickets $45; tax receipt issued for a portion of the ticket price Available December 1 by calling 789-7763 Kendra Watson (Stage Manager) Kendra is a recent graduate from the University of Regina’s Fine Arts Theatre program. She has a major in Stage Management along with a minor in Art Administration. Kendra has been involved with theatre for many years. Recent credits include Stage Managing the U of R production of Eurydice 2011, Stage Management for Regina Summer Stage—the 2010 production of My Fair Lady and 2011 pro- duction of Little Shop of Horrors, as well as Stage Management for Regina Lyric Musical Theatre fall 2011 production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. This is Kendra’s first time working for Golden Apple Theatre and she is thrilled to be given the opportunity to do so. She thanks everyone involved in the show, as well as her husband and two children for their continued love and support. Please, enjoy the show!

Donna Rumpel (Costumes) Donna has been involved in all aspects of her local Community Thea- tre at Earl Grey, SK for over 40 years. Since 2001, she has been in- volved with costuming various theatre groups within the city of Re- gina including Regina Little Theatre, Regina Summer Stage, Regina Lyric Musical Theatre and Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre. 761-7745 Select credits include—Gypsy, Nunsense, Sweeney Todd, Follies, Cam- elot, Oliver!, and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lyric Musical Theatre), Beauty & the Beast (Regina Summer Stage), Diary of Anne Frank (Regina Little Theatre) and Les Miserables, Titanic and Snow Queen (Do It With Class) as well as The Rocky Horror Show (DIWC Fundraiser). A life long learner, Donna is currently in her second year of a three year designated Lay Ministry Program with The United Church and is serving a half time ministry appointment at Strasbourg.

Riley Richter (Lighting) Riley started his career in lighting and technical theatre at a young age working backstage for companies such as Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre, Regina Summer Stage and Regina Lyric Musical Theatre. He also spent several years as the house technician for the Performing Arts Centre. In 2007 Riley moved to Vancouver where he worked in a number of venues for a variety of companies in the Vancouver area. Working with such a wide variety of artists allowed Riley to hone his skills and eventually led him to work on larger produc- tions, including a Canadian tour with Vancouver’s Wen Wei Dance, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics. Returning home to Regina in April of 2011 has allowed Riley to reconnect with companies he’s worked for previ- ously, and connect with new ones, such as The Golden Apple Theatre. Now more than a decade later, he continues his passion for lighting and designing and he couldn’t be happier.

To all our volunteers, our sincere gratitude and thanks! A Biography of Billy Bishop

1894: February 8 in Owen Sound, in the Allied trenches. His pluck and daring is enough to cancel his return to flight , William Avery “Billy” Bish- school and he is made a flight commander. op, the second of three children is April 1917: He begins flying “lone wolf” missions deep in enemy territory, which born to William A. and Margaret helps him rack up more victories. After his fifth, he officially becomes an ace and the Bishop. nose of his plane is painted blue to mark his achievement. He goes on a tear, taking 1899 - 1908: Young Billy makes a out twelve more planes, and is awarded the Military Cross for his participation at the name for himself in school as a fight- Battle of Vimy Ridge. The Germans honour him with an admiring nickname: “Hell’s er, if not as a student. He refuses to Handmaiden”. This eventful month is capped off by an encounter with enemy ace pursue any subject he can’t easily Manfred von Richthofen, the notorious Red Baron. Both men survive. Barely. master and he skips classes fre- May 1917: Billy Bishop wins a Distinguished Service Order for shooting down two quently. planes while under attack by two others.

1909: His later career is foreshad- June 1917: He is awarded a Victoria Cross for an action in which he claims to have owed when he builds an airplane out shot down three aircraft. The medal is controversial because there were no witness- of cardboard, wood crates and es to verify his story. There were murmurs that he embellished his tally.

string and flies it off the roof of the October 1917: He returns home to a hero’s welcome and very soon afterward, at Tim- family home. His sister digs her tri- othy Eaton Church in Toronto, he marries his fiancée, Margaret Burden, an Eaton umphantly unharmed sibling from granddaughter. He is stationed in Washington to help the Americans build an air the wreckage. force.

1911: He enters Royal Military College at Kingston, following in his brother Worth’s 1918: Bishop is reassigned to Europe and in short order he re-claims his title as deadli- footsteps. He fails his first year because he is caught cheating. est ace. The Canadian government, meanwhile, begins to be concerned for Bishop’s

1914: At the outbreak of the war, Billy leaves Military College to join the Mississauga health – fearing that troop morale might plummet if their number one ace were to Horse cavalry regiment. He is later transferred to the Mounted Rifles, where he be shot down – and they recall him to England, which makes Bishop furious. At the proves himself to be a crack shot. end of this year he is honourably discharged from the Air Force, with an almost un- believable 72 victories to his credit. 1915: He sails for England in June, arriving safely in Plymouth despite an encounter with German U-boats that sank two ships in his convoy. He quickly tires of life in the 1921 - 28: Bishop and his family live in England, where he is a successful entrepreneur trenches and transfers to the Royal Flying Corps. until the stock market crash of 1929, which wipes him out along with so many others. The family returns to Canada. 1916: Bishop, who has distinguished himself at aerial photography, is sent into ac- tion as an aerial spotter for British artillery. He injures his knee quite badly and is 1939 - 44: Billy Bishop is very active in the war effort as a recruiter and later as one of admitted to hospital in London. He makes several influential friends and with their the creators of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which trains more than 167,000 help is accepted for pilot training at Central Flying School. He receives his wings in airmen in Canada. Both of Bishop’s children follow in their father’s footsteps: his son November and begins flying night missions over London searching for German air- Arthur becomes a Spitfire pilot and participates in the Battle of Britain, and his ships, a task he finds very boring. He asks for and receives a transfer to France. daughter Jackie becomes a wireless radio operator.

March 1917: He arrives at camp near Arras. The average life expectancy of a pilot in 1944 - 53: Bishop is exhausted and looks twenty years older than he actually is, but he this area is 11 days. German aces are besting British aircraft by a ratio of five to one. continues to be a force in the growing field of civil aviation. His efforts are part of the Bishop’s first mission is a near disaster; he barely escapes with his life and is ordered push that creates ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organisation. back to flight school. Luckily, fate intervenes and he is kept on until a replacement 1956: The old campaigner dies of old age at sixty-two, in his sleep in Palm Beach, Flor- can be found. In the merciful interim, he claims his first victory, shooting down an ida. He is buried in Owen Sound. enemy aircraft. The incident is not without drama, however: his engine fails and he is forced to land three hundred yards from the German front line and run for cover