Billy Elliot The Musical — Page 125

everyone has there own opinions but just to let you know that if you have never seen the show, then the songs and the music probably appear very deceivng to you, but i can assure you that the live perfomance in the theatre is much more moving because during the majority of the songs there is constant movement and the stamana that this cast have is amazing.

I saw Billy twice in October, and then waited and waited for the OCR to be issued. I listened to a few of the clips online and was not in a positive mindset.

That all changed with the arrival of the OCR, because, apparently, clips are clips are clips. I dunno where or even how something as subjective as music and lyrics can be compared, from one stage to another with a different show, but I became addicted to Billy Elliot after just 2 viewings on the same day in October (George and Leon in the Billy roles), and after finally receiving the OCR, I'm more addicted than ever.

Other than a few hours a day when I might play the original score CD from "Narnia," it's Billy all day and Billy all night.

So, Caroline.... don't make up your mind till the full CD arrives on your player and you've given it a few listens. Even though you don't have the basis of having seen the show itself, I feel the OCR is a thoroughly real slice of Billy.

And, of course, 5 more viewings of Billy are on my calendar for March, and at that time, I'll probably start thinking about celebrating July 4th in London (there's some sort of symmetry to that, don't 'cha think?), which would put a return trip to London in October on my calendar, since this October was such an enjoyable experience.

Lastly, remember that every performance of Billy is different from the previous and the following versions of the show. Not only is the show tailored to each Billy, with so deep a bench amongst cast, you have got to know, as James Lomas puts it in his appearance (with the thoroughly BRILLIANT Ashley Lloyd) on TV's "Dance Factory," "It's your stage, your show. Make it yours." or words to that effect.

When I saw the show in October, George and Leon certainly made the show theirs. They freakin' command the stage, Dude! I mean, 1500 seats, filled to capacity, with more than a few wild, cheering addicts like me peppering the seats, leave no doubt. No one is phoning in their performance.

Oh, the OCR CD is actually, aurally, more than what you get in person at the theatre. Phil Ramone and Elton John spent some time and energy on this title, and, I think, it shows. The "band" is a bit bigger than the real band at the theatre.

So, summing up, give the OCR a chance, and secondly, git your butt to London and experience Billy firsthand.

tzwicky

For those that don't follow the other board, 11 year-old Travis Yates is scheduled to make his debut as Billy Elliot starting tomorrow (Dec. 19).

This morning it was confirmed that photos I had found from the BBC children's program, STUPID, are indeed him.

More info and photos at the fansite:
http://billyelliotthemusical.me.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=215&start=10

Accy
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Updated On: 12/18/05 at 09:52 AM

I have enjoyed the show quite a few times, but not being a native speaker I've always had trouble picking up the jokes Billy and Michael crack while doing the "Expressing yourself" part. Can you help out?

I am a native English speaker, and I miss stuff, too.

In fact, I posted about a lyric I am still missing after like 100 passes of the OCR.

I misspoke earlier when asking about the unknown lyric.

It is actually toward the end of "Solidarity" and is definitely Mrs. Wilkinson speaking to the ballet girls after one asks, "Can we have a go?" when the teacher is spending too much time on Billy and they're just standing there hanging out.

Mrs. Wilkinson, exasperatedly exclaims, "Baskets of (I cannot understand the word she says next)!"

Anyone, anyone?

It's probably a colloquial phrase, so even if someone has not heard the line on the OCR, they probably know what she's saying.

My earlier similar query probably got lost in another thread someplace. But it seemed apt to bring it up in this thread, so I did.

Regrets at double dipping in this manner, but I am knocking my noggin' on the desk wondering what is being said. Makes me crazy!

tzwicky

To the person wondering about the jokes, each pair tend to have their own but on the OCR you can here the dialogue much better than when it's live.

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Not really. I think that the girls are supposed to perform a move that looks like them carrying Baskets of Pansies. Someone have a better explanation?

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Seen BETM twice now and I believe the Basket of Pansies is like the other comments 'hanging out the sheets' and 'now put the on the other line'. Also she makes a comment after that something like 'Thank you very much Mr Braithwaite', is Mr Braithwaite alluding to the other slang use of the word pansy meaning gay???

Think you guys might be interested:

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/96898.html

Who's buying it?

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AH! i finally got my CD!!

ok, after listening to those samples forever it was nice to finally have the cd. i went to my room and played the cd. three times.

i loved it. the samples do not do the record justice.

for those of you who do not hear the similarities between BE and Aida, it's not in the content, it's in the actual music. Elton John has a very distinct style that you can hear, it's part pop-y, part faux-operetta and part 21st century broadway score. IT's not always a bad thing but i feel that, although i loved the BE recording, he did not do the story justice.

I think any number of other composer would've done a better job than Sir Elton John. While his score is fine, to me, it never goes beyond the fine and into the extrodinary (with the exception of Electricity, which is also a generic Elton John Musical "i want" number). i agree, i'm probably loosing lots of the magic because i haven't seen it live. Lots of show's recordings never do the show justice (DRS, BE, StEx, Pacific Overtures etc).

i don't think that all made sense but i just thought i'd throw that out there.

I would've loved to hear Jason Robert Brown attempt BE. it would've been a much less grandiose score and more intimate, personal, more complex score.

that's just my point of view, so disregard it if you'd like

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http://www.playbill.com/news/article/96908.html

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Updated On: 12/19/05 at 04:41 PM

The good news is, Billy Elliot will not open in the USA (NY) until Christmas 2007. More good news - the cast will be entirely English - no Americans to ruin the show.