Billy Elliot The Musical- Page 11

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 6:24pm

Click Here for Bigger Picture! Updated On: 8/12/05 at 06:24 PM

[loopy_lucy_loo]

Posted: 8/13/05 at 2:53am

WOHOOOOOOO ITS JAMES!!! Wow what a great picture.
thanks for posting it WEP.

[Alan Roger]

Posted: 8/13/05 at 5:04am

I saw James Last night and his performance was fantastic as always. However he is living on borrowed time I fear as his voice cracked badly in one song. His dance with the older Billy was very good and his best yet. He did not do his famous back flip at the ballet school sequence though. I wonder if this has been ruled out on health and safety grounds. I shall miss James and Ashley as their Billy/Michael pairing is the best of the three.
Gillian Kirkpatrick again understudied for Haydn Gwynne as Mrs Wilkinson. Ok but lacked the world weariness fed up feel that is needed for the role I felt.
Sorry to read about Liam's illness the other night as he is sensational!! George is also very good as he brings the anger to the part that Jamie Bell captured so well in the film. He also has a wicked sense of humour. I hope he stays after Septmber as well. I have seen the musical 9 times now so I guess I can be classed as an 'addict'!.

[loopy_lucy_loo]

Posted: 8/13/05 at 7:21am

9 times..wow thats a lot.

have you seen each boy 3 times each or one more than the others or only been lucky enough to catch one? Do you pick up on more things as you see it over and over?

[_clairey_]

Posted: 8/13/05 at 7:43am

For those of you who were lucky enough to see both Liam and George on the same night, I am intrigued to know who you preferred.
I know it is hard to say, especially when you are comparing different parts of the show.
Updated On: 8/13/05 at 07:43 AM

[Alan Roger]

Posted: 8/13/05 at 8:52am

I agree, as they all work well as teams and good mates so we hear. James, George, and Liam have all got special qualities that they bring to the role of Billy. It has been a pleasure to see the various unique bits of themselves that distinguish their performances. In Liam's case his gentle innocense coupled with sublime dancing and improving singing, in George's case his vivacity humour and anger, and in Jame's case immaculate timing,great acting and an emotionally packed performance (you can see him heaving with sobs in the scenes with dead mother). All three boys are a great credit to their professionalism, their families and to Stephen Daldry. It has been a priviledge to see them three times each so far and I will sad to see them move on. They will be hard acts to follow.

[Electricity]

Posted: 8/13/05 at 12:59pm

Afternoon everyone. You've all been busy on this forum since I last looked yesterday afternoon!

Thanks for your great feedback Alan with regards to all three lads playing the role of Billy. I've not seen James play the role of Billy yet, but I have my fingers crossed that I get to see him perform before he leaves in September.

Clairey, I was lucky enough to be their on Thursday night and got to see both Liam and George perform Billy in the same show. Rather than choose between who I thought was best lets just say that the show was as fantastic as ever and that both lads were able to keep the magic of the whole production going throughout the evening.
One person who was with me hadn't even realised that they had seen two different Billy's in one night :o)

Updated On: 8/15/05 at 12:59 PM

[J L Fan]

Posted: 8/13/05 at 6:13pm

Saw the show today! I have to disagree with Alan Rodger I thought Gillian was brilliant! this is the first time I have seen Mrs Wilkinsons understudy.Her acting was superb.She seemed to play the charactor more down to earth. I was sat at the front for the first time. It was fantastic to see them close up! Tim Healys facial expressions are wonderful. You can hear all the little side cracks they make, which you cant see any where else. Joe who plays Billys brother is such a strong actor, outside he is so friendly and full of fun. James was outstanding as allways, and his voice was very good. I know he was upset about the cracking the night before, but the nose bleed he had on stage didnt help. He was truly proffessional to carry on!

[Alan Roger]

Posted: 8/14/05 at 3:33am

I wish I understood the rationale for choosing the Billys as James and Ashley played the role three times straight off this weekend. What a 'tour de force'. The lads must be totally washed out!!. I saw the Saturday matinee as well which went like a bomb. The audience was so responsive and the interactions between James and his Mum (in the front row) was a joy to watch. James' dancing was the best I have ever seen him done and his singing first class (no hints of wobbles this time).James is truly a star performer that is for sure.I did not mean to imply in my earlier post that Gillian Kirkpatrick was not good as she certainly is. I just miss the extra pizzazz that Hadyn Gwynne seems to bring to the role for me.Liam was the back up Billy for the evening show but at the stage door still looked rather pale and frail.It is good to know that he is around again and I hope that he is back on stage soon.Anyway thanks James for another superb performance. We shall all miss you badly when you move on.

[_clairey_]

Posted: 8/14/05 at 6:55am

I have not seen Gillian Kirkpatrick perform but one of the things I felt about Hadyn Gwynne was that she was very different from Mrs Wilkinson in the film. I thought the casting was a bit strange, as I thought she was too tall and 'dancer like' where as I prefered Julie Walters in the film as she was more of a motherly figure and less of a true dancer which made her more loveable.
Although I know the show is very different from the film, I would have prefered Mrs Wilkinson to be slightly different. Is Gillian different from Hadyn Gwynne?
Updated On: 8/14/05 at 06:55 AM

[loopy_lucy_loo]

Posted: 8/14/05 at 12:24pm

James had a nose bleed on stage?And he carried on? WOW that is professional.
Is Hayden Gwynne on holiday or having a break or something as Gillian Kirkpatrick seems to be playing Mrs Wilkinson a lot lately.
I am going to see the show on thursday and im very excited (it will be exactly a month since i saw it last).
Does any one know if Liam is feeling any better yet?
Updated On: 8/14/05 at 12:24 PM

[_clairey_]

Posted: 8/14/05 at 1:56pm

Yes, does anyone know about Liam? Has he not been on since he felt unwell?
He must be upset that he's not performing and that he didn't finish the show, but is getting a well earned break.

[J L Fan]

Posted: 8/14/05 at 3:14pm

Liam is fine. he is taking a couple of well earned days off. These kids stil have to go to school as well as reherse,and do ballet and gym lessons. It is very tiring. Even the adults get breaks now and again. I have posted a photo to westendpro of some of the kids.I hope he can put it on.It was taken this week, so you can see liam is fine. Doesnt Joe look fab! Whenever you see him he is always happy. What a nice bloke.

[J L Fan]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 6:05am

Just thought I should post a warning when buying tickets outside the theatre. On Sat matinee someone was stood outside Victoria Palace Shouting tickets for today. Someone bought them and it turned out they were for Saturday night fever across the road! What a con man. Always check them first before parting with your money.

[KevinK]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 6:48am

Hi guys! I'm new to this board! I'm a 19 year old college student and just returned from a 2 week trip to London. I saw Billy Elliot 4 times! It was one of the best things that I have ever seen. It really got to me, and reminded me of my own dreams and goals that I shouldn't loose sight of. I'm also interestingly enough, not a huge fan of the theatre, I'm more of a film buff myself, but this was even better than the movie!I'm just at loss for words, I'm totally smitten with this musical. I got to see Liam twice, George and James each once. I also got them all to sign my program! lol. They were really friendly! Liam I have to say is my favorite, but they are all amazing. I even recorded the audio of it (during Liams performance) on my video camera, but no video. I'm trying to figure out how to convert it to a mp3 on a mac, so maybe I can post it you for y'all. I was also wondering where you guys got all your photos I see on your icons? I would love to download some! Thanks!

[Alan Roger]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 8:27am

Thanks for the warning J.L.fan. I too saw these guys. I thought touts were not allowed to work outside a theatre and was surprised that the staff did not smartly move them on.Only recently have they been in evidence outside this show.
It is good to know that Liam is ok as he had been off the previous week on holiday break so I was told. He did not look well on Saturday night and the role of Billy is so demanding.I hope he recovers. I am amazed at the unflagging energy James brought to the role of Billy this weekend three times straight off. What a professional!! I heard many people talking about him after after the show. All were absolutely over the moon about his matinee perfomance on the 13th which those of us who have seen him more than once say was his best yet. His ballet has really come on in leaps and bounds if you will excuse the dreadful pun. Let's not forget Ashley as well. His Michael has to be the best.

[BillyFan2]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 9:44am

Please stop tormenting me with how good James and Ashley perform :P I've seen the show 6 times so far and missed them everytime, though both Liam and George with Ryan and Brad are superb. I'm really hoping to finally get to see them when I am down in London in a couple of weeks times before they both finish.

[Electricity]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 9:47am

Thanks for the warning J L Fan about the ticket touts. I can’t believe people wouldn’t look to see what tickets they are buying in the first place, but then I guess those people who don’t go to the theatre much are prime targets!

So Alan, how many times have you seen the show now? Have you always bought day tickets? The more people write about James playing the role of Billy makes me want to see him even more.
Can I ask you what you like about Ashley in his role as Michael? Have you seen young Ryan play this part, I think he’s absolutely brilliant.

[Alan Roger]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 10:29am

Firstly BillyFan2 profuse apologies as I did not mean to torment. Praise where praise is due I say and I really hope that you and 'electicity' are lucky next time to see James. He is a star performer and saying that is in no way meant to undervalue Liam and George who are brilliant as well.I did not also mean to denigrate Brad or Ryan for they are undoubtedly very good. It is just that I feel Ryan is a bit of a scene stealer who tends to overshadow Liam at times and act him off the stage. It is just that having seen all three pairings, both from a height and acting point of view Ashley and James are very credible.They have great presentational skills and clearly get loads of fun 'bouncing' off each other. You really get the feeling they are good mates both on and off the stage in their very professional presentation of the roles of Billy and Michael. As for the number of times I have been to the show let's say that is a secret between me and my bank manager!!No I do not always get day tickets but have done as well as been lucky with 'returns'.

[BillyFan2]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:56am

I won't go in to how many times I plan to see the show while I'm in London, that too is between me and my bank manager. Suffice to say, if James and Ashley perform the week I'm down there I will probably see it :P Liam/Ryan are superb, George/Brad are superb. I doubt James/Ashley are less so. Each pairing have their own strengths and, well I nearly said weaknesses but I don't think they have weaknesses. Maybe, areas where they aren't quite so strong is the way to put it.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 1:13pm

Be Inspired, you're SO lucky! to have seen it more than 30 times!!!!!! But I have seen the show once with Liam n hope I could see James before he leaves! but will never be able to!... *cries*

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 2:07pm

Ashley Lloyd and James Lomas on May 12th, 2005.
Click Here for Bigger Picture!

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 2:07pm

Four happy, hardworking boys:
Joe Caffrey (Tony), Liam Mower (Billy), James Lomas (Billy), and Ryan Longbottom (Michael)
Click here for bigger picture!

[x-Sophiee-x]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 4:42pm

The pictures are realy good!! keep them coming!! Was that when liam was under-the-weather?! Lots of love Sophie X

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 8/15/05 at 6:15pm

The picture above was taken a few days ago. As you can see, Liam and the others are doing quite ok.

Sincerely,
WEP

*Thanks to J L Fan*
Updated On: 8/15/05 at 06:15 PM