The Ballads of Billy the Kid – Killruddery Gardens, Bray

Writer: Connor Wray

Director: Connor Wray, Mat Oliphant, Dan Meigh

Off the Grounds new show, The Ballads of Billy the Kid (note the s), came barrelling into Killruddery’s outdoor garden theatre this week like two gunslingers busting through saloon bar doors.

At first it seemed an unusual choice for a play, but the troupe quickly captured the audience and drew them into the world of the wild west with their specific and unique take on a tale old as time and an outlaw whose name went down in history.

We meet Billy at four different stages of his life. Played by four different actors, he is identified by his red leather waistcoat and red hat. The transition between actors and age is somehow smooth and doesn’t disrupt the flow of the play. Off the Ground have a way of injecting humour and engaging with the audience in a way that makes what could be awkward moments enjoyable and part of the entertainment.

We begin with the origin of Billy the Kid. Orphaned with his younger sister he finds himself begging for food and kindness from uncaring neighbours. In a moment of desperation, he pulls out a gun to demand what he feels should have been his. Under arrest and separated from his sister, this is the birth of the outlaw who came to be known as Billy the Kid. His saving grace is the local Sheriff, who sees the unfairness of life and wants to give Billy another chance. They go on to meet at vital points in the narrative, their relationship being a key anchor in the ever-evolving young life of Billy.

After this Billy travels with his close friend Jessie Evans – another touching relationship that anchors the myth in the flesh and blood of human relationships – building on their crimes to become infamous outlaws. After a time they gather a gang together, The Regulators, who mark themselves out against other outlaws by sharing their spoils with local people in need. This further helps to turn Billy into a folk hero, larger-than-life at the still young age of 21. As we know from history, outlaws and myths turn into legends with last deeds and bloody deaths. Will Billy’s past deeds, good and bad, determine his future, or be the final decision in putting the noose around his neck?

The writing leans into the nature of a ballad, breaking his life down into four shorter sections and embracing the idea of stories being passed down, developing their own life, and becoming separate from the original author. The play comments on the afterlife of Billy the Kid as he seemingly continued committing crimes long after his death. With yellowing newspapers and cheap books as props, it becomes clear how the legend became far removed from the person. With modern day echoes Connor Wray’s script draws out contemporary parallels with a deft and subtle touch.

Director Mat Oliphant made an excellent decision in not falling back on country and western music, but instead embracing hip hop to soundtrack the play. Cleverly integrated by Oliphant acting as sound designer, instrumental hip hop tracks set the scene at important points. This is used to create feelings of tension and danger when outlaws face off like rappers spitting diss tracks. At other times music is used for humour; a bouncy beat to introduce the remarkably comic opponent, scene stealing Melquiades Segura.

Off the Ground have always been particularly inventive with their use of props and staging. Who would have thought that inflatable birds and cacti would feature in a western and work? As the rain came and went, the cast remained steadfast and didn’t let it interfere with the fun. A few members of the cast have to be aware of voice projection. It is difficult at the best of times but out in the open, in the rain, while doing an accent, makes it much harder. The cast members were constantly moving, which meant that occasionally speakers were not facing the audience, making it extra important to focus on projection and volume.

The Ballads of Billy the Kid tapped into what made outlaws and gunslingers so fascinating, and brought it to life with their trademark good humour and tight, occasionally rhyming script. Creative, different, entertaining, enjoyable, it was a great night of outdoor theatre going. Off the Ground made it easy for the audience to leave behind the garden theatre of Killruddery for the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona.

Performed 17th August 2023.