Well i suppose it's the end of an era but what a fantastic finish the original cast gave us.
Leaving "Billyday" aside briefly, the weekend started for me with a Friday evening visit to Billy and was delighted to find George was performing along with Brad. Gillian stood in for Haydn so i finally got to see her and she certainly didn't disappoint with a real earthy performance and her singing was particualy splendid, she reminded me of Julie Walters in the way she portrayed Mrs Wilkinson. The rest of the cast were as usual and all were on top form. George and Brad particualy hammed it up even more than usual in "Expressing Yourself" and Brad did an "Ashley" on George with the lipstick!! The show was superb and at the end of yet another standing ovation Tim gave a small speech on World Aids Day how so many children are affected by this disease through no fault of their own. Members of the ensemble were collecting with buckets on the way out.
So onto "Billyday" and after being woken by a phone call from an excited fellow board member i quickly realised today was going to be special!! After a quick trip into central London to meet some board members and pick up copies of the OCR ( ) we made our way to the Stage Door pub to sign George's card and see who else was there.
Onto the show, we were rewarded with James along with Brad and what an amazing performance we got from James. He again demostrated just what a fine actor he is and the tearful scence for "The Letter" left everyone in the audience visabilly moved. Also loved his new line to Debbies "fanny remark" got a hugh laugh and a definate winner!! Gillian again stood in for Haydn and considering it was cast change day the show passed with no practical jokes, although James did on a number of occasions give hand signs to members of the cast! Issac also got on his knees and bowed to James at the end of Swan Lake which i haven't seen done before. Tim came on at the end and this time the charity was an actors charity.
So back to the Stage Door pub and then finally the big one!! Stephen Daldry came onto the stage beforehand to make a speech saying just what an emotional night it promised to be and how everyone was going to be sadly missed especially George who had been working with the show for two and a half years now. It was a full cast for the performance with Brad turning out for his third succesive show to support George. The show itself words can not be found to describe but surfice to say it was absolutly amazing. George received a standing ovation at the end of "Electricity" and seemed genuinly moved by the whole occasion A special mention to Lucy who was also performing for the last time and despite seeming very emotional at times gave her usual throughally proffesional performance.
Sadly too soon the end came and Tim invited George's parents onto the stage followed by the fantastic sight of the other 3 Billy's coming on stage to perform with their friend George one last time. James in particular seemed really upset to be seeing George finish.
Afterward all the cast were happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures at the stage door and after what was an incredible and emotional night went off to a throughully deserved celebration party thrown by Tim.
Finally many thanks to all those who have now left, you were all amazing and in particular to George who i'm sure has a big future ahead of him
So the end of an era. well yes but hey from tomorrow it's the start of a whole new era. CAN'T WAIT!!!
Steve
"i can't really explain it"*********************************************
"but he could be a star"*******************************************
Be a BE*liever! Feel the Electricity