Goodbye, Piccadilly
Comedy/drama. 2m,3f. 2 acts.
Goodbye, Piccadilly begins with Bess Brickley in a flurry of excitement. She's just learned that Brick, her husband of more than 50 years, has been awarded the Order of Canada. This has barely had time to sink in, however, when she receives the shocking news that Brick has been found dead on a bench in Leicester Square in London, England. This is a tragedy cloaked in a mystery because she thought he was on his annual canoe trip in Algonquin Park. As layers are peeled away, secrets stretching back to World War II are uncovered. Full of heart, humour and surprises, Goodbye, Piccadilly is a universal story about the families we have and the families we make.
Goodbye, Piccadilly is Ottawa Little Theatre's entry into the 2015 Eastern Ontario Drama League Festival.
"Goodbye, Piccadilly was one of those rare ones that you read and just say yes. It has warmth and humour, a strong story line, real heart and broad general appeal. It has everything." ~ Anne Chislett, Artistic Director, Blyth Festival
Goodbye, Piccadilly begins with Bess Brickley in a flurry of excitement. She's just learned that Brick, her husband of more than 50 years, has been awarded the Order of Canada. This has barely had time to sink in, however, when she receives the shocking news that Brick has been found dead on a bench in Leicester Square in London, England. This is a tragedy cloaked in a mystery because she thought he was on his annual canoe trip in Algonquin Park. As layers are peeled away, secrets stretching back to World War II are uncovered. Full of heart, humour and surprises, Goodbye, Piccadilly is a universal story about the families we have and the families we make.
Goodbye, Piccadilly is Ottawa Little Theatre's entry into the 2015 Eastern Ontario Drama League Festival.
"Goodbye, Piccadilly was one of those rare ones that you read and just say yes. It has warmth and humour, a strong story line, real heart and broad general appeal. It has everything." ~ Anne Chislett, Artistic Director, Blyth Festival
Production History
Huronia Players
Midland, ON
May 27 - June 11, 2016
Directed by Doris Sloan
Abernethy Community Players
Abernethy, Saskatchewan
April 16-19, 2015
Directed by Linda Bray
Ottawa Little Theatre
Ottawa, Ontario
March 24 - April 11, 2015
Directed by Sarah Hearn
Theatre Morin-Heights
Morin-Heights, QC
November 4 - 6, 2011
Directed by Corina Lupu
Many Hats Theatre
Penticton, BC
November - December 2010
Directed by Eric Hanston
Burl-Oak Theatre
Oakville, ON
September - October 2008
Directed by Andrew Park
London Community Players
London, ON
June 14-24, 2007
Directed by Sue Perkins
Darkhorse Theatre
Shaunavon, SK
April, 2006.
Directed by Joanne Gregoire
Midland, ON
May 27 - June 11, 2016
Directed by Doris Sloan
Abernethy Community Players
Abernethy, Saskatchewan
April 16-19, 2015
Directed by Linda Bray
Ottawa Little Theatre
Ottawa, Ontario
March 24 - April 11, 2015
Directed by Sarah Hearn
Theatre Morin-Heights
Morin-Heights, QC
November 4 - 6, 2011
Directed by Corina Lupu
Many Hats Theatre
Penticton, BC
November - December 2010
Directed by Eric Hanston
Burl-Oak Theatre
Oakville, ON
September - October 2008
Directed by Andrew Park
London Community Players
London, ON
June 14-24, 2007
Directed by Sue Perkins
Darkhorse Theatre
Shaunavon, SK
April, 2006.
Directed by Joanne Gregoire
The Red Barn Theatre
Jackson's Point, ON
July 28 - August 14, 2004
Directed by Jordan Merkur
Featuring Stuart Dowling, Reg Dreger, Nonnie Griffin, Diane Hollingsworth, Arlene Mazerolle
Theatre Aquarius
Hamilton, ON
October 22 - November 8, 2003
Directed by Greg Wanless. Designed by Carolyn M. Smith
Featuring Mo Bock, Lorna Wilson, Tracey Ferencz, Matthew Gibson, Diane Stapley
Blyth Festival
Blyth, ON
July 3 - August 9, 2002
Directed by Diana Belshaw. Designed by Shawn Kerwin
Featuring Janet Amos, Caroline Gillis, Elva Mai Hoover, John Jarvis, Bob Nasmith
Premiere Production
Thousand Islands Playhouse
Gananoque, ON
May 9 - June 11, 2002
Directed by Greg Wanless. Designed by Carolyn M. Smith
Featuring Mo Bock, Heather Esdon, Tracey Ferencz, Matthew Gibson, Meg Walter
Jackson's Point, ON
July 28 - August 14, 2004
Directed by Jordan Merkur
Featuring Stuart Dowling, Reg Dreger, Nonnie Griffin, Diane Hollingsworth, Arlene Mazerolle
Theatre Aquarius
Hamilton, ON
October 22 - November 8, 2003
Directed by Greg Wanless. Designed by Carolyn M. Smith
Featuring Mo Bock, Lorna Wilson, Tracey Ferencz, Matthew Gibson, Diane Stapley
Blyth Festival
Blyth, ON
July 3 - August 9, 2002
Directed by Diana Belshaw. Designed by Shawn Kerwin
Featuring Janet Amos, Caroline Gillis, Elva Mai Hoover, John Jarvis, Bob Nasmith
Premiere Production
Thousand Islands Playhouse
Gananoque, ON
May 9 - June 11, 2002
Directed by Greg Wanless. Designed by Carolyn M. Smith
Featuring Mo Bock, Heather Esdon, Tracey Ferencz, Matthew Gibson, Meg Walter
Playwright's Notes For The Premiere Production
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Selected Reviews
"This is a show that does what good theatre should, taking you completely away from yourself and immersing you in someone else’s story, besides providing a friendly mirror on your own experience. Director Sarah Hearn brings the loveable Goodbye Piccadilly to the Ottawa Little Theatre with a pitch perfect script by playwright Douglas Bowie ... Though the program bills the play as a comedy/drama, the role of songs in this production nearly makes it a musical. Whether war songs, show tunes or war-era instrumental jazz, the live and pre-recorded music was exceptional in setting the mood. Plus there’s a kind of magic about a theatre full of people singing along which happened often the night I went ... Goodbye, Piccadilly is a story full of surprises, lots of humour, great songs, and engaging performances from the entire cast." ~ Chrissy Steinbock, Capital Critics Circle (Ottawa)
"First rate Canadian theatre. Bowie's writing is wonderful ... His plot and dialogue continually catch the audience by surprise, creating a run-don't walk, feel-good production that will make you both laugh and cry ... particularly delicious ..." ~ Classical 96.3 FM (Toronto)
"Simply put in two words Goodbye, Piccadilly is WONDER-FULL. The wonder starts with a brilliant multi-layered script by award-winning screenwriter Douglas Bowie. Full of mystery, drama, humour, sentiment and nostalgia, this play leaves few heartstrings that aren't tugged at one point or another... Bowie is a gifted writer and Goodbye, Piccadilly is a showpiece of his art ... totally enjoyable ... it doesn't get much better than this." -- 701.com, Hamilton.
"Beautiful, moving and extremely funny ... a journey which inspires and uplifts us, while at the same time making us laugh out loud." ~ Huron County Scene
"A dilly ... funny, poignant ... it touches on the core of humanity -- forgiveness, compassion, heroism." ~ London Free Press
"Refreshing ... so moving ... makes us care deeply about the emotional predicaments of the characters ... This is a play with a big, brash heart that will not be denied. It has the potential of becoming an audience favorite ... and had the opening night audience on its feet, shouting bravos." ~ Kitchener-Waterloo Record
"Mr. Bowie has written wonderful characters ... who provide genuine laughter and even a sniffle or two ... Four and seven eighths stars (out of five.)" ~ NCPR, U.S. Public Radio (New York State)
"Great Canadian theatre ... enchanting ... Goodbye, Piccadilly is simply heart-warming, and provides the audience with tears of sadness, tears of joy, and tears of sheer laughter." ~ Clinton News-Record
"Touching, funny ... satisfying and original ... blend of genres -- mystery, drama, the supernatural and often hilarious humour, from zinging wit to Fawlty Towers farce." ~ Brockville Recorder & Times
"Goodbye, Piccadilly is a charming and engaging story peppered with fun and interesting characters that you truly care about ... I had a lovely and entertaining time at the theatre. I'm sure you will too." ~ Mohawk Radio, Hamilton
"Goodbye, Piccadilly plays tag with emotions, ranging from startling, heart-wrenching pathos, to gentle humour, blended with a touch of exaggerated farce ... it provokes thought as much as tears and laughter." ~ CH Television, Hamilton
"Douglas Bowie's romantic new comedy bristles with intelligent discovery ... a cracking good story that engaged a teary Aquarius audience. And because it has important things to say about the nature of sacrifice and love, we are drawn into the heartbeat of this touching comedy ... In the end, Goodbye, Piccadilly fills the throat with a welcome lump ..." ~ The Hamilton Spectator
"Hilarious ... quick and witty and at times quite complex ... Anyone who enjoys good Canadian stories with just the right balance of drama and comedic relief will absolutely love this play." ~ The Silhouette, McMaster, Hamilton
"Thoroughly enjoyable ... Goodbye, Piccadilly offers up a nice blend of drama, comedy and intriguing plot twists ... Douglas Bowie's clever script features terrific dialogue, deftly handled by this stellar cast." ~ The Georgina Advocate
"Goodbye, Piccadilly is an entertaining and touching domestic drama ... Bowie has a very good ear, verbal and musical, and brings his characters to quirky, solid life ... cunningly charted ... the second act revelations are movingly written and deepen the issues with which the play is concerned ... a good commercial piece." ~ The National Post
"First rate Canadian theatre. Bowie's writing is wonderful ... His plot and dialogue continually catch the audience by surprise, creating a run-don't walk, feel-good production that will make you both laugh and cry ... particularly delicious ..." ~ Classical 96.3 FM (Toronto)
"Simply put in two words Goodbye, Piccadilly is WONDER-FULL. The wonder starts with a brilliant multi-layered script by award-winning screenwriter Douglas Bowie. Full of mystery, drama, humour, sentiment and nostalgia, this play leaves few heartstrings that aren't tugged at one point or another... Bowie is a gifted writer and Goodbye, Piccadilly is a showpiece of his art ... totally enjoyable ... it doesn't get much better than this." -- 701.com, Hamilton.
"Beautiful, moving and extremely funny ... a journey which inspires and uplifts us, while at the same time making us laugh out loud." ~ Huron County Scene
"A dilly ... funny, poignant ... it touches on the core of humanity -- forgiveness, compassion, heroism." ~ London Free Press
"Refreshing ... so moving ... makes us care deeply about the emotional predicaments of the characters ... This is a play with a big, brash heart that will not be denied. It has the potential of becoming an audience favorite ... and had the opening night audience on its feet, shouting bravos." ~ Kitchener-Waterloo Record
"Mr. Bowie has written wonderful characters ... who provide genuine laughter and even a sniffle or two ... Four and seven eighths stars (out of five.)" ~ NCPR, U.S. Public Radio (New York State)
"Great Canadian theatre ... enchanting ... Goodbye, Piccadilly is simply heart-warming, and provides the audience with tears of sadness, tears of joy, and tears of sheer laughter." ~ Clinton News-Record
"Touching, funny ... satisfying and original ... blend of genres -- mystery, drama, the supernatural and often hilarious humour, from zinging wit to Fawlty Towers farce." ~ Brockville Recorder & Times
"Goodbye, Piccadilly is a charming and engaging story peppered with fun and interesting characters that you truly care about ... I had a lovely and entertaining time at the theatre. I'm sure you will too." ~ Mohawk Radio, Hamilton
"Goodbye, Piccadilly plays tag with emotions, ranging from startling, heart-wrenching pathos, to gentle humour, blended with a touch of exaggerated farce ... it provokes thought as much as tears and laughter." ~ CH Television, Hamilton
"Douglas Bowie's romantic new comedy bristles with intelligent discovery ... a cracking good story that engaged a teary Aquarius audience. And because it has important things to say about the nature of sacrifice and love, we are drawn into the heartbeat of this touching comedy ... In the end, Goodbye, Piccadilly fills the throat with a welcome lump ..." ~ The Hamilton Spectator
"Hilarious ... quick and witty and at times quite complex ... Anyone who enjoys good Canadian stories with just the right balance of drama and comedic relief will absolutely love this play." ~ The Silhouette, McMaster, Hamilton
"Thoroughly enjoyable ... Goodbye, Piccadilly offers up a nice blend of drama, comedy and intriguing plot twists ... Douglas Bowie's clever script features terrific dialogue, deftly handled by this stellar cast." ~ The Georgina Advocate
"Goodbye, Piccadilly is an entertaining and touching domestic drama ... Bowie has a very good ear, verbal and musical, and brings his characters to quirky, solid life ... cunningly charted ... the second act revelations are movingly written and deepen the issues with which the play is concerned ... a good commercial piece." ~ The National Post