Singin Im No A Billy, Hes A Tim

WINNER OF THE STAGE AWARD FOR ACTING EXCELLENCE

Force adversaries to
talk and you may achieve peace.

What happens when you
lock up a Celtic fan with a Rangers fan on the day of the big match?

Fireworks! That’s What!

Des Dillon delights,
entertains and educates on the religious origins of Celtic-Ranger conflict.

Beneath its amusement,
this award winning play explores bigotry and ethnic identity on both a
microcosmic and macrocosmic scale. Through the lens of the two characters
locked in a prison cell, we witness the generational repercussions of Catholic
and Protestant strife.

Furthermore the play functions as a broader allegory,
addressing bigotry-motivated hate across multiple communities. It extends
beyond the immediate conflict, including references to the UK immigration
crisis and tensions in Palestine, making it a powerful commentary on the
universal nature of prejudice and division.

“The sheer vitality of the theatrical writing – the seamless combination of verbal wit and raw kinetic energy, and the pure dynamic strength of the play’s structure – makes this show feel like one of the shortest and most gripping two-hour shows in current Scottish theatre.

— THE SCOTS

Two hate filled rival football fans

locked up in the same prison cell

verbally lacerate each other while

their teams assemble for the derby

in the stadium nearby.

In this crucible, Billy and Tim vent

all their fears, bigotry, paranoia,

misconceptions and, most

significantly, the mutual loathing

that has shaped their whole lives.

The lads’ collision is not just a

matter of football rivalry, but a

very serious clash of cultures with

all the deep-seated bigotry that

that entails.

Face to face with the object of

their hatred, do they choose

to destroy each other or to

confront their demons and start

a dialogue towards some kind of

ceasefire?

A potent allegory for peace

processes all over the world,

Des Dillon’s extraordinary,

moving and hilarious “Singin’

I’m No A Billy, He’s a Tim”

speaks for any divided culture

where polarisation is inbred and

prejudice governs reason.

When drama is supposed to

reflect society, what better arena

than the sport that grips society

most?

“There’s more to football

than football”.