#1
Posted: 4/13/05 at 10:26pm
This is the first published report on Billy Elliot I've come across, from a paper in Newcastle where the show was originally going to preview. Someone else who saw it has written elsewhere that the music is strongly oriented toward the traditions of northern England, with hymns, music hall and choral pieces a strong influence:
Billy's a musical masterstroke
Apr 13 2005
By Alison Carr, The Evening Chronicle
This story of a young boy's struggle against adversity to achieve his dream was a smash hit when the film version was released in 2000. Key players have re-united for this stage version - director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall, who adapts his Oscar-nominated screenplay but also provides the lyrics.
With music by Sir Elton John I must admit to having reservations about this yarn of a County Durham boy dancer. Namely, how a quintessentially Northern tale, set against the backdrop of the miners' strike, in 1984/85 would stand up to the razzle-dazzle of a West End interpretation.
Fortunately, my concerns were forgotten in the first two minutes as Billy the Musical is absolutely superb. Rather than shirking away from any mention of the miners' strike this production places it at the fore, opening on the day the men come out and ending on the day they go back. Big ensemble numbers such as Solidarity and the stirring, Once We Were Kings, revolve around the strike - it is pretty hard-hitting and incredibly moving stuff, whether you hail from the North or not.
It is among this chaos a young Billy Elliot finds he is more pirouette than right-hook, when he abandons boxing lessons in favour of ballet classes.
An intensive search has found three boys to alternate in the role of Billy. I saw Liam Mower, 12, in the title role. A tour de force.
Boldon lass Lucy Stephenson is great as sour-faced ballerina Debbie, while Ryan Longbottom, 11, as schoolboy cross-dresser Michael is responsible for the show's funniest and most exuberant scene when he tap-dances his way through his sister's wardrobe!
Geordie actors Tim Healy as Dad and Joe Caffrey, as brother Tony, give solid performances and add authenticity.
If you love theatre and something a bit special, I recommend this.
Billy's a musical masterstroke
Apr 13 2005
By Alison Carr, The Evening Chronicle
This story of a young boy's struggle against adversity to achieve his dream was a smash hit when the film version was released in 2000. Key players have re-united for this stage version - director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall, who adapts his Oscar-nominated screenplay but also provides the lyrics.
With music by Sir Elton John I must admit to having reservations about this yarn of a County Durham boy dancer. Namely, how a quintessentially Northern tale, set against the backdrop of the miners' strike, in 1984/85 would stand up to the razzle-dazzle of a West End interpretation.
Fortunately, my concerns were forgotten in the first two minutes as Billy the Musical is absolutely superb. Rather than shirking away from any mention of the miners' strike this production places it at the fore, opening on the day the men come out and ending on the day they go back. Big ensemble numbers such as Solidarity and the stirring, Once We Were Kings, revolve around the strike - it is pretty hard-hitting and incredibly moving stuff, whether you hail from the North or not.
It is among this chaos a young Billy Elliot finds he is more pirouette than right-hook, when he abandons boxing lessons in favour of ballet classes.
An intensive search has found three boys to alternate in the role of Billy. I saw Liam Mower, 12, in the title role. A tour de force.
Boldon lass Lucy Stephenson is great as sour-faced ballerina Debbie, while Ryan Longbottom, 11, as schoolboy cross-dresser Michael is responsible for the show's funniest and most exuberant scene when he tap-dances his way through his sister's wardrobe!
Geordie actors Tim Healy as Dad and Joe Caffrey, as brother Tony, give solid performances and add authenticity.
If you love theatre and something a bit special, I recommend this.
