Billy Elliot The Musical — Page 2

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

---

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?

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

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

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

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

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 !

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

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

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!

---

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

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