Ideas: Me & Other Billys.

Idea I – Blithe Spirit v. Billy Elliot.

• Perform the piece dressed in the likeness of Madame Arcati.
• Parallel this with Billy Elliot – how it felt to take a stand against the social norms of ambition held in Rotherham’s working classes.
• Use projection to show scenes from Billy Elliot – “Go Billy”
• Perform some snippets from Blithe Spirit – Madame Arcati’s eloquence and physicality.

Idea II – Manual Labour.

• Perform some manual work on stage throughout the duration of the performance.
  – Build/take apart a small engine
  – Mine/dig/transport Coal across the space
  – Boxing/Rugby – sports related.
  – Plumbing & Heating.
• Whilst performing, talk about growing up working class with ambitions in theatre – a short biography of life.
• Project the femininity of Madame Arcati through snippets of me performing in Blithe Spirit for A-level.
• Growing up on the back end of the miner’s strikes and the rule of Thatcher.

Idea III – A history of Billy’s.

• Talk about working class Billy’s – Billy Liar, Billy Elliot, Myself and Billy Casper in Kes.
• Create an energetic and physically driven performance about the struggle of the working classes
• Show how people can find happiness through other mediums. – Dance, deception, Drama and bird-keeping.