Billy Elliot The Musical- Page 22

[_clairey_]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 12:34pm

There was a picture of Leon previously on this board - page 14 to be precise!
Liam and Leon - isn't that going to get confusing?!


Updated On: 9/8/05 at 12:34 PM

[Alan Roger]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 12:58pm

Is it a done deal that both Liam and George leave on December3rd?.It seems an odd choice of date to me. This musical will be really buzzing around Christmas (see Christmas scenes et al). I would have thought that there was a strong case for maintaining a degree of continuity during the festive period. This could be achieved by keeping both boys on till the new year and introducing the new Billys and Michaels then.Alternatively there could be a gradual introduction of Billy 5 before Billy6 allowing George to stay slightly longer than Liam or vice verca.
Any thoughts on this from those in the know?

[BillyFan2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:03pm

I'm not in the know but I think there are a lot of contracts ending on 3rd December and not just Liam and Georges. I believe a number of other cast members are due to leave then also.

[_clairey_]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:03pm

I heard a while ago that their contracts were up for review on that date. Not that they were definitely leaving.
But things have probably changed. I do agree it is an odd time for them to leave.

[WestEndFan2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:43pm

I too was under the impression that a lot of the adult cast, along with Liam and George's contracts were up for renewal on December 3rd.

As already suggested in previous posts it would make a lot of sense to phase in the new Boys, and to that end I would be very surprised indeed if both Liam and George did leave on the same day.

My guess is that one of them will definately be going on December 3rd, but I wouldn't even hazard a guess as to which one it will be!

[x-Sophiee-x]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:48pm

I know i'm a little bit behind but i want to say GOOD LUCK JAMES AND ASHLEY for your last show if you read this!! If not then o well it was a waste off time .. maybe WEP can say it for me ... anyways Lots of Love Sophie Xx
p.s good luck x

[BillyFan2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 2:19pm

Send a card or maybe make one and send it :) I'm sure they would like to know people are wishing them luck.

[dadillymonster]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 2:20pm

yes, i agree that they probably will not leave on the same day.. they cant both do the last show after all can they!? they will have to each have their last show!
and i also agree that they shouldnt bring in the new billys at the same time - as Alan Roger said - bring in the billy 5 and keep either george or liam.. then bring in billy 6 a while later - makes sense that way i think

[_clairey_]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 2:45pm

If they do both leave on the same day, one could do the matinee and one could do the evening (if there is a matinee on the day they finish)....But cor the theatre will be manic and popular that day!!

[BillyFan2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 2:46pm

I guess we can hope one or both stays on after December 3rd, though from comments made a long time ago (or it may have been in one of the interviews on the DVD)there may be legal reasons why they can only perform until a certain date. Also, Liam and George themselves might be ready to take a break by then. I can't imagine how hard it must be for them being at the theatre 2 performances out of every 3 for the amount of time they have been doing this now.

I doubt ticket sales over Christmas would be a reason to keep them on though. The show is always sold out as far as I can tell so it's not like they will sell more tickets that way :P

If only one did stay on, which do you think it should be?

[_clairey_]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 2:56pm

I would say Liam....cos he is younger and so there is less likely to be problems with him growing and his voice breaking etc. and he is more likely to be able to fit the 11 year old part for longer, particularly as he looks quite young for his age. I have heard there has been a few problems with George growing up, as well as with James. But I don't know...it could be George staying? Anyone else?

[loopy_lucy_loo]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:17pm

i would like both of them to stay on but i think it is highly unlikely for that to happen! But if one or the toehr does stay i would imagine the person staying would be Liam...as George has just gone in to his first GCSE year and will probably want to go back to school to concentrate on them and also (just like James has) he will probably soon shoot up and no longer look 11.

sorry kind of going a bit off subject here but If there contracts are renewed do the boys themselves acutally sign them or do there parents have to sign them on behalf of them?


Updated On: 9/8/05 at 04:17 PM

[dadillymonster]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 5:06pm

i imagine that as they are under 16 then their parents will have to sign as well as them. i dont know but i assume so

[Alan Roger]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 5:29pm

This is a difficult on to call as to who could stay longer than the other. I think George´s voice has become fuller and richer in the last month or so and I think there is a good chance it will come close to breaking in the next three months. Liam´s voice is sweeter and lighter in tone and as others on this board have noted he will still look the age a little bit longer. On the other hand Liam´s school and ballet schedule must be pretty tight and there must be firm limits as to how long the Royal Ballet School will allow him to continue in the role. I would love Liam to continue but I get the feeling that George might just get the nod given his unbounded energy and zest for performing Billy and assuming his voice does not break.
Does anybody have any information on Billy 5 and 6. Are they in the Billy house and preparing already?

[Electricity]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 8:16am

Leon and Joey sound as if they are going to be brilliant for this show. To think that there will be another couple of lads interpretation on how the "Billy" and "Michael" parts should be played which will add a new dimension to this number 1 show.

I'm in fact away on holiday tomorrow for a couple of weeks so unfortunately won't be posting now until I get back but I will be keeping an eye on this board to hear all your news and feedback.

In answer to someone’s question earlier, yes the kids are on a six month contract at a time but there is nothing that states that this can't be extended time after time.

[Electricity]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 8:24am

Just one other question I had about the Billy Elliot cast recording that is hopefully being released soon but does anyone know if it will contain not only the songs of the show but the orchestration bits as well? I also like the end song with the medley of tunes.

Does anyone else have any comments about this?

Do you think that the Swan Lake track will also be on the cd? It makes you wonder?

[BillyFan2]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 8:30am

I hope that "Angry Dance", "Swan Lake" and the finale all make it. They are all wonderful and a huge part of the show. A long time ago I heard that it might be possible that a song or two that were cut from the final version of the musical due to time constraints might appear on the CD. Anyone know if this is a fact or mere wishful thinking ?

Unfortunately I can't get time off to go to London for the 19th. Please someone that goes post a review here after :) I have no doubt they will be amazing though.

[WestEndFan2]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 10:24am

I agree with BillyFan2 the Angry Dance and Swan Lake orchestral pieces, they should indeed be on the CD, and I'm sure they wouldn't have any problem time wise fitting these on, plus any extras!!

If I am lucky enough to get there on the 19th I will definately post a review

Have a great Holiday "Electricity"

[BillyFan2]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:03am

Does anyone know if it's possible to buy any of the Billy Elliot the Musical posters anywhere ?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:08am

So forgive my ignroance (and lack of time to read this entire thread). Are they recording a Billy Elliot cast recording?

[BillyFan2]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:25am

It's been recorded. Should be in the shops sometime between now and Christmas. No date set as yet.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:26am

That's great news. I'm usually in the loop abotu these things but this one passed over my head completely.

[loopy_lucy_loo]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:28am

BillyFan2 they ocasionlay have them on ebay but i think they also sell them at the theatre

[WestEndFan2]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 8:12pm

Saw the show again last night with fellow board member "Electricity", which was arranged as a birthday surprise prior to his two week cruise - lucky thing!!!

Anyway, Liam, Ryan and Lucy were on and the show was, as ever, absolutely fantastic

I notice that Lucy was replaced by Brooke for the second half of the show, though not sure why. Hope she is OK!

Now, on the way home from the show I was trying to choose one song from the show that for me does it, and you know what! I couldn't single out any one song as my absolute favourite, they're all damn good!

So, the question is; what do you fellow boad members nominate as the song or scene in the show that really does it for you?

[Electricity]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 8:12pm

Well I thought I would post my last message tonight just before I go away on my 2 week cruise in a few hours time…

I have in fact just got back from see Billy Elliot for the seventh time tonight and I wanted to share with you all the absolute brilliance of this show. I felt that this was the best performance I’ve seen to date but then I guess it helps that I’m already in holiday mode!

Both Liam played Billy and Ryan played Michael.

Firstly Liam. I’ve not seen him play the role of Billy for some time now and what a transformation! I thought he was good the first time I watched his performance but tonight just blew me away! Liam’s “Angry Dance” was the best I have seen and as for his “Electricity” choreographed bit, well, what a dancer!

Ryan, you were as superb as ever and once again had the audience gripped and laughing out your hands.

Keep it up boys…

By the way, I did go to the stage door afterwards to try and get some of the signatures from the cast who I’ve not got yet and I bumped into both George and the rest of the gang who must have been the understudies… I wanted to go and chat to say hello but the opportunity didn’t arise.
By the way guys, if you think I’m West End Pro, I’m not :o)

This is me signing off for a bit… till the next time.