Within the other two works mentioned in this series – By Grand Central Station and A Taste of Honey – the influence upon Morrissey is merely obliquely suggested either by the face of an author adorning a single cover or careful ‘adaptation’ of a certain quote within lyrics. However, Billy Liar, the 1960 play by Keith Waterhouse about a adolescent losing his grip on reality as he creates a universe of untruths, has a unique position within the canon of Morrissey, for the protagonist, the charming, the tragic hero Billy Fisher arguably had a song dedicated to him, the stunning ‘William, It Was Really Nothing’.
Of course, art being what it is, one can only speculate that this is the case, but the parallels are certainly there. In any case, Billy Liar is a fabulous play within the Northern working-class, kitchen sink vein of A Taste of Honey, although rather than recounting a gritty tale rife with discussion of social taboo, the story of Billy Fisher using lies to escape the mundanity of his reality is less tragic, but arguably more poignant, for whilst the life of fantasy exists within everyone, seemingly this is closer to the surface for Billy, and this leads to his inevitable downfall.
The protagonist is introduced as a endearing, slightly feckless, but witty character, who is in a constant state of reverie about escaping the fictional Yorkshire town of Stradhoughton, and his dull job at the local undertakers for a job as a scriptwriter in London. Billy’s devious side becomes apparent early in proceedings, as it transpires that he is engaged to two local girls, Rita and Barbara, with which he shares the same fantasy of running away together. His insouciance soon gives way to a greater problem; Billy’s belief that “some of us belong in the stars”, and that he is destined for great things, despite the supporting cast cutting through his fantasy world with necessary scepticism, almost necessitate his need to escape.
Within the third and final act, this desire to leave swiftly turns to a necessity, as the web of lies and deceit are unveiled; Rita and Barbara find out that Billy is engaged to them both, and that, in fact, Billy is in love with a third girl, Liz. It is here that Billy abandons his brashness and becomes altogether more candid, declaring, tragically that he “turns over a new leaf every day, but the blots show through the page”. But when the opportunity to take flight and pursue his dream in London, Billy falters as the final step and resigns himself to facing up to the consequences of his wrongdoings.
But what could simply be a moralistic tale has been given extra bite with the wit and humour of Waterhouse’s pen. The exchanges between Barbara and Rita, “Have you been having relations with this girl?” “ What do you think he were doing, knitting a pullover?”, add colour and punch to the tale, and the gentle sway between comic moments such as these and the Billy’s bittersweet resignation to his fate are captivating as they are insightful.
Alexander Britton
Tags: billy liar, keith waterhouse, morrissey
