Showcasing Australian rock star Billy Thorpe’s life and music through the eyes of a die-hard fan, Billy Thorpe and Leigh is a rocking new show from Griffin Theatre Award-winner, Neil Cole at The Alex Theatre, St. Kilda from 18 May 2016.
Billy Thorpe inspired thousands of music lovers as one of Australia’s greatest rock icons. Playwright Neil Cole has teamed up with long-term friend and fellow Thorpe supporter, Leigh Farnell to tell the moving, true story of how the music of Thorpe transformed Farnell’s life, in the face of a personal crisis.
Billy Thorpe and Leigh explores Farnell’s life as his mother does her best to make ends meet when they discover her husband has a genetic illness known as Myotonic Dystrophy and can no longer work. As Farnell lives in the shadow of his father’s illness, his struggle to find his place in the world becomes intertwined with the rockers success and music, which begins to take on more and more meaning for Farnell.
Cole’s aim with this brand new piece of work is to celebrate the working class hero that was Billy Thorpe. “Leigh and I were huge fans of Billy Thorpe growing up, and I wanted to showcase how a rock star that we didn’t know could have such a big impact on our lives,” said Cole
“I’m looking forward to sharing my new piece of work with Billy Thorpe fans and the wider community. His songs are incredible and you will find all the classics in there such as Most People I Know Think That I’m Crazy and It’s Almost Summer. The cast has a done an incredible job and I’m very proud of the work we have created,” Cole added.
Neil Cole is a celebrated writer and producer, and has worn many hats over the course of his career including lawyer, politician, professor and playwright. With over 25 plays under his belt, Cole’s plays include: Nina Simone - Black Diva Power, An Evening with Billie Holiday, Songs from the Cop and The Trial of Adolf Eichmann.
Billy Thorpe and Leigh
The Alex Theatre, 135 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda
Season: 18 – 29 May 2016
Information and bookings: www.alextheatrestk.com