Billy T James Tribute: Peter Rowley's Billy T & Me

Waiheke Island residents and visitors will have the unique opportunity to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the passing of the much-loved New Zealand entertainer, Billy T James. His long-time collaborator Peter Rowley will mark the occasion with a performance of his one-man show “Billy T & Me”, an intimate performance about their working history, screening many of their most popular sketches from their best TV series.

The anniversary show was destined for the Christchurch Arts Festival but after the February earthquake the Isaac Theatre Royal, where the show was to be held, remains inside the red zone and the festival has been postponed.

Billy T James passed away on the 7th of August 1991, and the tribute show will take place exactly twenty years later. Singer/songwriter Luke Hurley will entertain audience members in the foyer beforehand.

The MC for the evening will be Michael Gray (aka Late-Night Mike), who was writing for Peter Rowley and Billy T James on a new TV series at the time of his passing. Gray has just moved to the Waiheke Island after losing his house in the Christchurch earthquake, and he has been the impetus for organizing the event.

“It is only fitting that the show is held on Waiheke Island,” says Gray, “as Peter lived here at the time Billy passed away - and when I first moved to Auckland, I stayed a couple of nights at his house on the Island, and now I live here. I know that it will be a very special and poignant night. One of those not-to-be-missed occasions where I am sure something magical will happen, so I suggest you book the babysitter now!”

Tickets are available from the Theatre’s TimeOut Café (open Mon-Sat from 9am – 3pm), or you can book by leaving voicemail on 372-2941 or email ArtworksTheatre@gmail.com.

Event listed by Artworks Community Theatre

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