Royle family actor Ralf Little shows the true nature of comedy in his latest project. Katy Lewis saw him take on the lead role in Billy Liar – ahead of the play's arrival in Milton Keynes in July.

But in truth, while it is indeed very funny, it is actually also terribly sad. And as is so often the case, it is the clever use of comedy that serves to heighten the tragic nature of the situation.

Ralf Little as Billy Liar

In Billy Liar, that ‘situation’ is one where young northern lad Billy Fisher is expected to get a job, get married and have kids, just like most young men in the late 1950s were supposed to. But Billy wants to be a scriptwriter, live the high life in London and win TV awards.

The 20-year-old funeral director employee feels trapped by what is expected of him and so flees into a world of fantasy where he tells outrageous stories as a means of escape from his grey life.

The Royle Family actor Ralf Little takes on the role of Billy and skilfully combines comedy and tragedy to unravel the layers of this complex character.

The result is that when his lies lead to him trying to keep his three girlfriends (including two fiancées!) apart it doesn’t end up in a Run For Your Wife type farce.

Sure, his efforts to keep them apart are funny, which is only to be expected from somebody who has already proved himself as a fine comic actor.

But underneath this humour is a sad study of a tortured lad, and Ralph Little shows us the depth of his range by managing to make you see Billy virtually disintegrate before your eyes as his efforts to make more of himself are continually poo pooed by his family.

So, while on the face of it Billy seems selfish and weak, you can’t help but feel some sympathy for the protagonist whose battle to better himself seems hopeless in the face of constant interference from his parents who represent the dark shadow of conformity.

These are played by Paul Copley and Tracie Bennett (Coronation Street) who between them add to what is another strength in this production - an excellent cast.

As Billy’s father, Copley symbolises social conformity and as such appears to be an overbearing brute but again the layers come out as it quickly becomes clear that he finds it difficult to show his emotions. One telling moment is when he attempts to comfort his wife. You think she will finally get the hug she needs before he merely taps her hand and turns away.

Similarly, one of Billy’s fiancés represents the ‘nice girl’, that men should aspire to, but again the social norm is seen as homely but frigid. She is convincingly played by Rachel Leskovac who again portrays her range by playing a very different character from Holby City’s serial killer nurse.

Ralph Little and Joanna Page in Billy Liar Photo: Robert Day

As Billy’s grandmother, Doreen Mantle expertly and hilariously represents the older generation that has perpetuated the unimaginative society that they are living in and as his mother, Tracie Bennett is excellent as another parent who feels bound by the past to keep the future going along the same lines.

Maybe it’s just me, maybe deep down I feel a bit like he does but I just kept willing Billy on to breakaway.

I don’t want to spoil the outcome but suffice to say, like all tragic heroes he is fatally flawed and his weakness is set to lead to his personal downfall. But does it? Underneath the laughter, can he show that sometimes you have to be a bit selfish for the greater good? That you will have to find out for yourselves!

Ultimately Billy Liar has a lesson for us all – we must be strong or life will pass us by. We must try to resist merely doing what is expected of us if we are not happy about it, because if we become like sheep, we will end up as lambs to the slaughter under a society that lacks both creativity and compassion.

I laughed a lot at Billy Liar but was also genuinely moved by the production which you can see in Milton Keynes on its pre-West End National tour.

Ralf Little reveals a lot >>
Find out all about Billy Fisher, what excuses Ralph used at university to go to auditions, why he turned down a top soap, if he could have been a professional footballer and why he thinks Manchester United AREN'T rubbish!

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