A Matter of Choice for Billy
Directed by Paul Seed and , Written by Graham J. Reid, Produced by Chris Parr and Neil Zeiger
Set in Belfast in 1978. In the sequel to ‘Too Late to Talk to Billy’ (1982), Norman Martin is in England, leaving his son Billy and daughter Lorna in charge of the younger Martin children. Uncle Andy arrives with some bad news from his brother. Original transmission: BBC1 10/05/1983 (85mins). This play is the second in a trilogy of ‘Billy’ plays shown as part of the ‘Play for Today’ series. The trilogy also includes ‘Too Late to Talk to Billy’ (1982) and ‘A Coming to Terms for Billy’ (1984).
The Billy plays explored tensions within working class Protestant families at a time when people were losing faith that the troubles might soon end.
Clip courtesy BBC Motion Gallery
Further Infomation
WRITER(s)/ DIRECTOR(s)/ PRODUCER(s)
Writer
Graham J. Reid
Director
Paul Seed
Producer
Chris Parr, Neil Zeiger
ACTORS
Kenneth Branagh - Billy Martin
Brid Brennan - Lorna Martin
James Ellis - Norman Martin
Tracey Lynch - Ann
Aine Gorman - Maureen
Mark Mulholland - Uncle Andy
Julia Dearden - Pauline Magill
Colum Convey - Ian
Anne McCartney - Valerie Agnew
Chrissie Cotterill - Shirley
John Hewitt - John Fletcher
Nigel Anthony - Headmaster
Mary Jackson - June
Deirdre Morgan - Joan