Billy Elliot The Musical- Page 2

[cturtle]

Posted: 7/5/05 at 10:15pm

WEP, thanks for the new photos do you know if that's christopher parkinson singing on the website?

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 1:44am

I have seen all of them, and it is pretty obvious that Liam is the best dancer technically and the absolutely best actor. I'm sorry, but that is the truth.

No, it is not Christopher singing. Sounds like George, but I might be wrong.

The reason why Christopher was not chosen to play Billy was that he could act and sing beautifully, but not dance. A dancer was needed.







Transcript of interview with George Maguire and Stephen Daldry at Breakfast with Frost Updated On: 7/29/05 at 01:44 AM

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 1:58am

Here is a funny different kind of article from The Guardian - 'Ballet Brothers', by Kate Kellaway:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1436354,00.html

Here you can read about the charisma of little George, and about Liam being teased at school. Also, what did James sing at the audition?

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 2:37pm

Here is some info on Christopher from when he played Jeremy Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1993:
http://www.chittythemusical.co.uk/show/cast-march03/christopherparkinson.htm

Also, here is George Maguire and James Lomas:




















Updated On: 7/29/05 at 02:37 PM

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 2:54pm

Here is a quote from the Times Online:
For [Jon] Finch [producer], it’s been a pleasure watching the kids grow into their roles: "They seem unfazed by it all, working hard and enjoying themselves. Jamie Bell visited the other week. He’s a mean tap dancer but found it tough to keep up!"

In this article, Steven for the first time talked about the fact that there are three (3!) different orchestrations because the boys sing in different keys.

The biggest leap of faith for Billy Elliot Updated On: 7/29/05 at 02:54 PM

[cturtle]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 6:24pm

thanks for all the additional photos and articles! what cheer

btw ... did you take any of the photos?

[Ringo Star]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 6:53pm

Hi WestEndPro, greats pics! May i ask where the pictures from the finale came from. Are there any more?

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 7:36pm

It is notoriously difficult to take any pictures at all during the show. Some of the pictures are mine, others come from friends and enemies, and there are other pictures or varying quality. I am also attempting to find and link to rare pictures. But the pictures are just there to remind people who were there or have seen the show, or met the boys, or just would like to go see the show, what it is all about. Of course, the real value cannot be conveyed with simple pictures. Yes, you read right - simple. You see, a picture might very well convey more than a thousand words (except if it's a bad picture, then you might perhaps be able to explain a thousand of them with just one word), but good music convey much more than any words or pictures ever could.

Here are some links for you WireImage buffs:

Liam Mower
http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=CLB&str=35204&styp=clbi&nm=Liam%20Mower&nbc1=1

George Maguire
http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=CLB&str=35205&styp=clbi&nm=George%20McGuire&nbc1=1

James Lomas
http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=CLB&str=35206&styp=clbi&nm=James%20Lomas&nbc1=1"




Dancing 'Billy Elliot' gives British musicals a new lease on life Updated On: 7/8/05 at 07:36 PM

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 7:47pm

I am trying to find articles with a twist and share the links with you. Most articles are somewhat similar, which is boring. The probable cause is that most reporters and jornalists attended the same press conferences and press night. If you find any artcles that are different or outstanding in any respect, please feel free to share. I think it is good fun to feed the fans of this marvelous piece of musical theatre with information and links and other interesting things.

Below is a funny link by writer who obviously doesn't have a clue which shoe goes on which foot when dressing in the morning.

http://www.newyorker.com/printables/critics/050704crth_theatre

'Camp' Billy Elliot musical hits wrong note in America Updated On: 7/8/05 at 07:47 PM

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 5:19pm

When I said that there are three different orchestrations, some might find it interesting to know that there is also different lightning. I just felt I needed to clarify that. However, no matter how much you might wish it, the lightning will not show when you put the cast recording in your player.

Dancing His Way Out - 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' evokes Thatcher's Britain. Updated On: 7/8/05 at 05:19 PM

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 6:51pm

There is some new media on the Billy Elliot site. You can now listen the Electricity song as well as the Billy Elliot video (it's coming, hold your horses, please!), watch the documentary The Real Billy Elliot Diaries and download some screensavers (well, that's in the making, anyway).

http://www.billyelliotthemusical.com/media.html Updated On: 7/29/05 at 06:51 PM

[musicnmath]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 8:21pm

different orchestrations?! and different lighting?? why the different lighting?

I'm totally new to this show....but I want to see it. I want to fly on over to London and see this, Mary Poppins, and Chitty too!

Anxiously awaiting cast recordings....

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 8:33pm

WestEndPro, since, from what I understand, you are somehow connected to the show, a heartfelt thanks from me, for one of the most magical experiences I ever had in theater !!! Bless to anyone involved with this amazing show ! Also I would love to know if there are any news about the time of release of the cast recording !

[musicnmath]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 9:02pm

I'm actually so excited I'm perusing orbitz for flights.

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 9:27pm

Different orchestrations because, as stated before, the boys have different voices and hence sing in different keys (ex., Liam has a very high key, while James' is lower - although, Liam's voice seems to be changing quickly...). Lightning is different because the dancing is different, and it has to be coherent. Not only this, the clothes are different. Each leading Billy boy has his own colours, and each Michael his own wardrobe. Then there are scores of minor details, so even though the boxoffice are doing their very best telling every hopeful ticket buyer that the show does not sell on any particular child performer, the show really is not just one but three very different shows.

Still, if you do not have an eye or ear for details in music and theatre, it might just as well be all the same to you who is performing, and it doesn't matter what the colour of Billy's shirt is. Understandably, you cannot book tickets for Liam's show or George's show or James' show, or for any of the new boys that are being trained as this is being written. The result would be wicked...
Updated On: 7/29/05 at 09:27 PM

[musicnmath]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 9:35pm

WestEndPro -- are the boys in rotation or entirely (seemingly to the public) random?

I got the different orchestrations bit. The lighting now makes sense -- even more so if they have different costumes. That's quite a different approach than trying to clone performances of an "annie" or "oliver" or whatever. Sounds like it supports the message of be who you/cultivate the talents you have.

How many times have you seen it? There is not way this show could come to the US in the same form; I hope there's a way I can get over to see it!

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 9:37pm

Concerning the cast album, be a bit patient, and I'm sure you'll be able to put Billy in your player sooner than you think.

I also imagine this little piece of musical theatre has affected a lot of people, and I hope it will spread around the world (and, yes, there has been talk about Broadway - even though everyone realize it's impossible, then again, impossible is just another word for difficult but totally doable).

And, next time you see the show, why don't you wait outside the stage door and tell the kids how much you liked their performance? I'm sure they would like that, if you are brief and respect that they are probably very tired. They are not divas anyhow you measure. Updated On: 7/29/05 at 09:37 PM

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 9:46pm

There's nothing random about their schedule. When you have 46 kids in rotation, it can't be random.

But their performance days are not public information, and that's probably for the better. Also, they are kids, and they do get sick or have to do other things. Hence, things might change quickly. Therefore, it would be of no use to say that George is performing on this or that day, when he might just as well be sick or have school work (haha) or something. They have been grouped as much as possible according to age and how well they interact. That is why I stated earlier that you are likely to see Ryan perform together with Liam, Brad with George, and Ashley with James. They are joined by Emma Hudson (James and Ashley), Lucy Stephenson (Liam and Ryan), and Brooke Havanna Bailey (George and Brad) as Debbie. (Brooke does a mean accent, and it is hilarious to watch the faces of americans and australians who are supposed to understand English...)






Updated On: 7/22/05 at 09:46 PM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 9:52pm

you luky SOB! in case anyone here didn't know: I LOVE BILLY ELLIOT but will probably never get to london to see it *tear* thanks god for this thread and all the grreat pics!

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 4:54pm

Well, the story is easy to love, and so are the characters. For what it's worth, so are most of the people on and behind the stage as well.

I'm glad you like the collection of pictures. (And, if you are talking about little Liam, then, yes, during and after a show his pulse can go up into about a million beats/sec.)
Updated On: 7/29/05 at 04:54 PM

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 7:16pm

Here is a picture from one of the 2004 auditions for boys aspiring to win the part of Billy Elliot. It gives you an idea of what the boys had to go through. It started with 3'000 and ended with 3. The new boys playing Billy have all been tested just as hard. This really is a demon project of Stephen Daldry. Forgive me for the bad quality.



Also, if you feel like it, I would be glad if you would leave a comment on my blog as I am a newbie at this.



"This girl said 'It's Billy Elliot!' and waved at me" Updated On: 7/9/05 at 07:16 PM

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 2:00pm

This is a possible spoiler.

A few weeks ago, start of the show was running a bit late because of some... hm... "technical problem". The audience was getting somewhat worked up wondering why they had to wait five minutes. Now, the show is supposed to start with a little boy walking down the center aisle, climbing up on the stage, to sit himself down. Most in the audience does not know this. Anyway, down walks this little blonde kid, and I could just about hear a lady talking to her husband: "Look now! What is that mischievous little boy doing climbing up on the stage like that? Won't anyone stop him?" But as soon as the kid sat down, the overture chorus began and the audience seemed all caught up in the magic of the moment.


Eric Fellner (co-producer) say's decision on Broadway transfer of Billy for maybe next season will come before the end of summer Updated On: 7/29/05 at 02:00 PM

[Chloe]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 2:18pm

Ha, I wonder if this is the show I saw, on May 25. The start was delayed a while, and I remember watching the conductor standing in the pit and talking on the phone for a considerable time. I wondered if he was dealing with some backstage emergency or merely passing the time by chatting with a friend.

Thanks for all the pictures and links. It's nice to know that someone working backstage is so devoted to the show, which I really loved.

[WestEndPro]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 2:32pm

Here is Liam on the cover of Musical Stages no. 46:





Musical Stages Online Updated On: 7/29/05 at 02:32 PM

[musicnmath]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 3:15pm

WestEndPro - I love your updates :) Don't stop!