Billy Elliot The Musical- Page 47

[w_tanoto]

Posted: 10/11/05 at 7:03pm

Updated On: 10/15/05 at 07:03 PM

[BillyFan2]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 2:55am

Well, he is entitled to his opinion. It's just a shame that the obvious crush he has on Liam blinds him as to how good the others are also.

[WestEndFan2]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 3:01am

Like many of you here, I have had the good fortune to see George, James, Liam, Leon performing in the show, and in my opinion each one of them is absolutely bloody fantastic!

Sure, everyone will have there favourite Billy, Michael and Debbie etc. but we should never underestimate how talented ALL of these kids are.

Musicals Fan - I have no problem with you expressing your preferences, but is it really necessary to be blatantly unkind about the others boys? What have they ever done to you?

This board should be place where we can all engage in friendly debate and even lively discussion, and also somewhere everyone should be welcome to participate.

Let's keep it that way!

[Alan Roger]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 3:58am

The myopic and somewhat blinkered view of the Billys and their abilities held by Musicals Fan is now reaching the point of tedium on this board.Those of us who have had the privilege of seeing Liam,George, James and Leon perform know one thing for certain, Stephen Daldry and the casting team would never in a million years have countenanced yet alone selected a performer to appear in this key role who could be described as 'awful'. To suggest otherwise is not only highly disrespectful of one of the best directors in the film and stage business worldwide but also flies in the face of the professional critical acclaim that all the initial Billys received in the many printed reviews there have been of the show. You cannot fool a critic believe me!!
Musicals Fan you are entitled to your opinions as this is a world where freedom of speech is an inate right of everyone but at the end of the day I also have the right to treat those opinions with the contempt that I feel they deserve.

[Electricity]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 4:51am

Last night I went back to the Victoria Palace to see Billy Elliot for the eighth time - what was more of an added bonus was seeing the names of both Leon & Joey displayed in the foyer area who played the parts of “Billy” and “Michael”. For those of you who have not seen these two boys yet, you’ve got something to really look forward too.

Leon’s acting was superb and his singing was fantastic, you wouldn’t have thought that he’d only been doing this in front of a live audience for a few weeks, it’s like he’s done it for years.

Joey did an outstanding performance playing the part of Michael. His “Expressing Yourself” song was perfectly timed and you could tell that the two of them were having a laugh together doing this song.

Keep up the great work that you are both doing guys.

While I’m giving you a review about last night, I would like to take this opportunity to say that the ballet girls were so funny, you add so much character to this show.

Little Tom was playing the part of small boy and also did a great job, especially during “Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher”, where he seemed to be really enjoying himself.

On to the adults now… whoever will be taking over the roles of those cast members leaving in December, they have an extremely hard act to follow…

Tim Healey’s facial expressions throughout his performance is what makes his part of playing Billy’s dad superb.

Haydn Gwynne was also on top form yesterday playing Mrs Wilkinson, she and Steve Elias who plays Mr Braithwaite always do a great job together, especially during “Born To Boogie”.

As for Ann Emery playing grandma, she always gets a laugh when she dancers around the room at the end of her song – brilliant.

Now onto Joe Caffrey who plays Billys Brother. You are going from strength to strength. You act out your part so well, especially the confrontation amongst the miners and the police.

My only disappointing part of the performance yesterday was the amount of smoke that was used during the Swan Lake scene when Billy flies through the air. I couldn’t see much of it, which is a shame when this part of the show is a huge audience pleaser.

All in all, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Thank you everyone.

[Alan Roger]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 5:20am

Nice review Electricity. 3 of us have now commented on the Swan Lake scene and the smoke on this board. If any of the production team read this thread please take note. There is a big difference between an aid to aesthetic art and a dense fog that obscures the performers and the beauty of this particular routine!

[BillyFan2]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 5:42am

The interesting thing is that from the GC and DC, the best views of this scene are with lots of smoke as it creates the impression that Billy is flying above white fluffy clouds. I've not been lately though so have no view on whether they are using too much or not :P

[Great Show]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 7:21am

Wow, strong letter Pegasus, do we have any evidence that the production team or anyone connected with the show reads this board?
It's great to read the reviews from people who are seeing the show and commenting on the overall performance. I agree about the smoke, in the front row the other night I could see little of the 'Swan Lake' scene, but it sounds as though it looks fabulous from above.
To L.M (again) freedom of speech does not include the right to insult or offend.
Finally, lets here it for the company who play many fine parts with wit, pathos, anger and energy.

[balletboy21]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 8:28am

We havent heard frm WEP for ages. Is it true he is sacked ?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 8:57am

what was his job!?

does anyone know if they're getting a all new cast for the American version?

[Electricity]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 9:49am

WEP has not been sacked, merely just busy.

[Great Show]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 1:28pm

Updated On: 10/12/05 at 01:28 PM

[Pegasus]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 1:47pm

In fact, yes. Right away when the letter was published on the www.billyelliotfans.com fansite and here as well, mails started dropping in from supportive people. I am still waiting to see if it will have any other effect, as I believe many people with me think what I described in the open letter is quite unjust and should be corrected.
Billy Elliot - The Fansite

[The Maestro]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 5:14pm

Some very good and pertenant comments, Pegasus. Your letter might make an impact were in not for the fact that these comments have probably all been considered by the producers of the show. They are obviously not the meanies that would would portray them. There has to be be a lot of good in a group of people who take these kids and turn them into superstars, which as we all agree, they now are.
The thought that has gone into these boys and girls welfare over the past year or so has been exemplary. Go and ask the parents.
Obviously the parents can't expect to see every performance of their offspring FOC. The children were kept apart from their parents for the show and rehearsals and the result can be seen every night on the stage of the Victoria Palace.
These kids are resiliant as most kids in this position would be.
And I bet all their parents are the proudest people on the planet at what their children have achieved.
A little bit of thought, Pegasus, to a holistic view of Billy Elliot would be much better.
Still, best wishes anyway.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 5:44pm

aah! you've been 8 times!? i've never even been once! oooh you lucky dog! i just have to ask-

are all the parts in the show dancing parts? so is the whole cast mega talented dancers?

tanto- thanks for the link, i found those, but Part 1 still doesn't work... every time i click it i get the broken quicktime symbol! its frustrating cuze i can see all the other three! Poo!

Updated On: 10/12/05 at 05:44 PM

[Fizzipop]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 5:51pm

They all dance a bit and yes they are all mega talented!

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 5:57pm

god... i cannot believe that i have ALMOST seen the show thrice but all my plans fell through! GAH!

anyone know what James is up to or is he just livin a normal life now?

[Fizzipop]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 6:16pm

You have to see it !!

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 6:17pm

*sob* doesn't seem likely... ive only been out of the country once and it was when i was really little. my family doesn't like to travel. We were going to go this december and i even had tickets booked but at the last minute the trip fell through and i had to sell the tickets... i was literally crying.

[AlexL]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 7:26pm

Sorry, but:

So, is the OCR scheduled for Oct. 24 or Nov. 21?

[w_tanoto]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 7:31pm

Today I saw the show for the fourth times. Liam was on, but somewhat, they forgot to change the name until the interval. Now, my life is complete, as I saw all 4 billies. And I think Liam mower's show today is the best I've ever seen, but he lacks george's roughness. The first time I saw the show in july I was hoping to see liam mower. But I just got to see him today. Anybody knows when is his next performance? and also do you know if 3rd of december matinee performance is sold out or haven't been released yet? I tried to get the matinee. Currently I got the night performance (which probably will be george).

About the cast recording, when I asked today, they said that the cast recording will be out on november

BTW, who is the moderator of this board? Sometimes I saw insulting message in this board

Updated On: 10/12/05 at 07:31 PM

[MUSICALS FAN]

Posted: 10/12/05 at 7:39pm

when r they going to remove james from the programme it is now gettin ridiculos and a hugh insult to the talented leon.lets start a campain now.leave the smoke,if u dont like it try movin bak from the front rows if u can bear too that is lol

[Pegasus]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 2:28am

From what I understand, the Cast Recording will be available at the theatre from the 24th unless it is postponed further.

[w_tanoto]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 4:23am

The next billy according to whatsonstage.com will be Travis.
I guess Liam will not be leaving on 3rd December as there's only one new billy mentioned.

[w_tanoto]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 4:23am

The next billy according to whatsonstage.com will be Travis.
I guess Liam will not be leaving on 3rd December as there's only one new billy mentioned.

This is extract from whatsonstage.com. ITK is a member of cast, and normally his informations about the cast are reliable

Topic Final Performance of current cast of Billy Elliot
Posted by ITK on 10-Oct-05 11:52
Hello all,
Just to confirm, Liam is NOT leaving on 3rd Dec just George. There is a new Billy starting soon. Issac and Chris are staying, Isaac as older Billy and Chris as Tony. Tim is definately leaving and Haydn is still not sure. There are about 7 people leaving in total. Should be an amazing night.

Topic Final Performance of current cast of Billy Elliot
Posted by ITK on 12-Oct-05 10:41
Yes I'm staying. We're not sure whos is coming in to replace everyone yet but it will be announced soon. The new Billy is called Travis and is 11 and will be brilliant. Not sure how long Liam is now contracted for, at a guess I'd say another 6 months. Haydn is still unsure if she's saying although I hope she does

Updated On: 10/13/05 at 04:23 AM