The West Yorkshire Playhouse is saying Happy Birthday to Billy Liar this autumn, with a production marking the 50th anniversary of the play adapted from Keith Waterhouse’s 1959 novel.

First staged in 1960, the play, by Waterhouse and Willis Hall, portrayed a generation ready for change. It opened in the West End with Albert Finney playing Billy Fisher, a role later reprised by Tom Courtenay on both stage and screen.

John Schlesinger’s 1963 black-and-white film version (pictured), largely filmed in Bradford, also starred Wilfred Pickles, Leonard Rossiter, Julie Christie and Bingley-born Rodney Bewes.

Filming took place at locations including Broadway, Forster Square, the War Memorial, Undercliffe Cemetery and Hinchcliffe Avenue in Baildon. Half a century later, the story returns to Yorkshire.

In a dead-end-job as a clerical assistant at an undertakers, Billy Fisher dreams of a career as a scriptwriter in London. His lies frustrate his traditional father, infuriate his loving mother and bewilder his grandmother.

Engaged to the practical, orange-eating Barbara as well as to the foul-mouthed Rita, while actually being in love with ‘mucky’ Liz, Billy’s life is getting out of control.

As fantasy slips into reality, even his best friend Arthur is losing patience. To most people he’s a liar, a fantasist who ought to grow up, get a grip and live in reality instead of indulging his overactive imagination.

As Billy loses control of his creations, can he tip the balance before it’s too late, or will he always and forever be Billy Liar?

Billy Liar runs from September 4 to October 2. For tickets, ring (0113) 2137700.