Hi everyone,just returned from a wonderful weekend watching everones favourite show-can you guess what show i'm talking about!!
When i heard the news that James was returning i knew i had to make the trip,i was unfortunatly out of the country for his "last night" so this was an amazing unexpected bonus to get the chance to see his performance again.
Firstly a word about the show,i couldn't believe all the little changes they've made since my last visit which increibilly makes the show even BETTER! I loved the way Billy now teases small boy with the lollipop (so funny as well given James' height!) and the pork pie in the pumps is a really funny addition. There were others and each added to the show so well done to all involved.
Now onto James and WOW not only just as good as ever but better and i can honestly say that, apart from one line in the letter song when his voice cracked a little, you would not know he had retired from the show. A really wonderful performance and you could see the way he hugged and picked up Ann at the end he is going to miss the show and the show will certainly miss him. Joey played Michael and this was my first time seeing him and what a wonderfully funny little Michael he is as well, loved "Expressing Yourself" and his combination with James was perfect.
Trevor was absent as George but his understudy (i think it was Lee) was a more than capable replacement. The rest of the cast were as usual and, also as usual, were wonderful. Tim and Hayden gave there usual superb performances and Joe was magnificent, Steve Elias was superb as usual and i liked his new touch of playing the piano with his feet! All in all a great show and i felt so lucky being given a second chance to see James' last show. Well done James, your a natural!
Incidently during the interval they were playing the ocr so got a sneak preview of "Expressing Yourself" and "Born To Boogie", sounds good folks!!
So how do you follow a wonderful afternoon like that? You go BACK at night!! As i walked into the theatre i was hoping and praying that Leon would be on, as i hadn't seen him yet, so with some trepedation i looked at the board and YES there it was Leon Cooke!!
Ryan played his Michael, brilliantly as ever, and the rest of the cast were as the afternoon show. As for Leon, well i think the biggest compliment i can pay him is to say he is a wonderful addition to our already great 3 Billys. He's a wonderfully funny young man (i'm looking forward to seeing him perform with Joey) and his "Electricity" was outstanding. Considering he had such a touch act to follow he was more than up to the task.
The show was wonderful as ever, the polaroid didn't work but Ryan ab-libbed perfectly and covered it (incidently i wonder what happens to all the pictures they take?). We also didn't get any snow at either show which was a bit of a disappointment but can't detact from this amazing show. All in all a truly great day then!!
I've now been lucky enough to see this show 16 times (James-6 Liam-5 George-4 Leon-1) and can honestly say it just seems to get BETTER and BETTER! I loved the new changes (would like the snow back though) and i do not think there is a single weak point in the entire show.
The only unfortunate thing is now having to wait till Dec 3rd before seeing it again now! Hope you enjoyed the review and well done to everyone connected with the show. ROLL ON DEC!!!
Steve
"i can't really explain it"*********************************************
"but he could be a star"*******************************************
Be a BE*liever! Feel the Electricity
