Report from London: BILLY ELLIOT

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:17pm

Now entering its second year in the UK with a mostly new cast, BILLY ELLIOT remains exhilarating; probably the best new musical to open on either side of the Atlantic in half a dozen seasons.

The real Michael Bennett and Jerome Robbins would have adored this production, and it's nice to know director Stephen Daldrey and choreographer Peter Darling have grabbed the reins and kept the fully realized concept book musical not just alive but pulsing.

Pulsing, tapping, twirling and flying through the air. Some of the most inventive choreography and staging I can remember ever seeing, the show tops itself again and again from a hyperactive dance class of overweight ten year old girls, to twenty foot high inflatable Margaret Thatcher blow ups to a musical breakdown by the title character intercut with police riots (and you haven't seen brilliant till you see a row of plastic police shields glimmer and turn into a row of Chorus Line-esque ballet mirrors) to a pas de deux between an adolescent boy and his grown up self that may be one of the most goose bump raising moments in the history of musical theatre.

If the staging and direction weren't enough, we get a great book/lyric combo by movie script writer Lee Hall, and a fine score by surprise, surprise: Elton John, who may not be able to write about vampires, but knows a thing or two about 80s pop.

The new cast is equally superb. Sally Dexter who created the role of Anna in the original production of CLOSER and Nancy in the last revival of OLIVER! is a wry comic delight as Mrs. Wilkenson showing off some surprisingly strong singing and dancing chops.

Philip Whitechurch finds true pathos and redemption as Billy's dad, Ann Emery, who first appeared at the Victoria Palace about half a century ago, is hilarious as Billy's bawdy - tap dancing- grandmother.

It must be a logistical nightmare keeping 3 sets of kids up to speed on a show this large, but the under 13 set are consistently fine, fresh and completely engaged with special mention due to Brad Kavanagh, totally natural and charming as dress wearing Michael.

And then, of course, there is the real star of the night, Colin Bates, one of 3 new Billy Elliots, a major, major find. Every bit as stirring as Liam Mower (the strongest of the original trio) Bates is a sensational dancer, a charming singer, and a terrific young actor with a perfect North East English accent, all the more amazing when you consider that he's from California!

Originally discovered when BILLY ELLIOT planned to open in North America in the 2006-07 season, it's really very exciting to see the creative teams' care and dedication (and British Equity's understanding) to this very special show in making sure this amazingly talented young man had a chance to play this role before the inevitable growth spurt and voice change take him out of the running forever.

The buzz around London is that the show will now open in NYC during the 2007-08 season. I suppose some minor tweaks might be necessary to make it completely clear to American audiences, but I'd like to think we Yanks would be able to appreciate this gem as it already is. Its really "not" so very difficult to follow a story about chasing your dreams.

At any rate, I think I speak for all of us who love Broadway: I don't get how you get here - just get here when you can.


Updated On: 7/13/06 at 10:17 PM

[rclocalz]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:22pm

I am in love with the cast recording and I would give anything to go see that show. I can't wait till 2007-2008!!!

[Chloe]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:34pm

I saw this show with George Maguire as Billy shortly after it opened last year. It remains one of my best theater-going memories and I'm really, really looking forward to the day when New York will have a chance to see it too. Thanks for the wonderful review!

[cturtle]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:40pm

wonderful review! so glad to hear about colin bates. we saw liam last year, and it was one of the most incredible performances i've ever seen.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:00pm

The new guys wudnt have to experience as much as stress as the original trio as now there's 6 to rotate whereas there was once that only 2 were rotating in a wk!
I am glad you enjoyed the show. Billy Elliot is the best musical EVER! There's sth about it... it's so down-to-earth and so real that EVERYONE gets caught into it so easily!
I personally thought James/George were better Billys than Liam but that's maybe cuz I love their streetdance routines more than the ballet ones! hehe!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:04pm

The program only lists four Billys:

Colin Bates
Leon Cooke
Matthew Koon
Liam Mower.

I have no idea how they will do this in NYC, but the labor laws are obviously different, and they do not usually double or even triple cast child performers. My guess is that they will have a primary Billy, an alternate who performs Wed/Sat matinees, a Standby and a good understudy.

I can't imagine they will double cast the entire youth ensemble for Broadway. The British production employs 36 kids in the chorus (3 sets of 12) not including 6 others who alternate Michael and Debbie.

I'd be very curious to hear what British Equity rules are about paying young performers. I don't think American Equity has any differentation in pay scale.
Updated On: 7/13/06 at 11:04 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:35pm

How were the sets? Show curtain? I heard the kitchen rises from the stage? That sounds pretty cool.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:56pm

The set isn't that complicated. There are two units that come on from either side of the wings that create a realistic looking rec room which houses the dance classes and the town meetings; and a pretty cool kitchen unit with Billy's bed on top connected by a spiral staircase that rises out of the floor.

The show is mostly a triumph of staging and lighting; the sets are pretty straightforward.

Most shows today don't really use show curtains, but perhaps its worth mentioning that all British theatres lower a "safety curtain" during intermission by law; a throwback to the days when theatres were lit by gaslight and it was a real danger for people to walk near the footlights.

Safety Curtains are "house" though - they aren't designed specifically for each new show.
Updated On: 7/13/06 at 11:56 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 3:38am

Oh okay, yeah I had heard about the safety curtains, but after hearing that Evita had one, I wasn't sure what to expect. Thanks MB!

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 3:58am

Oh yeah, I forgot Travis Yates was off for the Summer! But Layton and Dean will be replacing Liam and Leon soon.

The sets are very simple but effective. And have to agree the reason for success is cuz of Stephen Daldry's (who btw is also one of the nicest man!) clever staging and direction. And of course was the amazing stamina and talents of those kids! Man they act and cry this minute and then dance happily the other!

And as for the Safety Curtain, every theatre in Ldn has to use it for obvious reasons... photos, set changes, keep the backstage more quiet?? But doesnt Broadway theatres have it too?

[musical_devotee]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 4:17am

I am seeing Billy in August, at the same time when I'm off to London to see Evita. I'm sure I'll love it.

[lifeisacabaret]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 5:02am

I saw the matinee yesterday, with Liam Mower and Brad Kavanagh (i think it was him) and it was fabulous. Sally Dexter was amazing- I also saw her in Theatre of Blood with Jim Broadbent, and thought she was a very good actress, but I was SO pleasantly surprised at her performance in BE, a lovely, powerful voice and a great mover.

[leefowler]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 7:49am

I saw it in London: Simply amazing. The only problem is that NOTHING is going to want to open the same season as Billy Elliott!

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 7:56am

If Wicked is a success, the only 2 theatres in Victoria will be holding 2 biggest show in Ldn!
I am SO hoping to see some pixs of Sally in the show!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 9:02am

No, Broadway doesn't use Safety Curtains. They occassionally have show curtains, but again those are a design choice, whereas Safetey Curtains are old British theatre law.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 10:51am

Michael Bennett: I haven't been a member very long, but I already know that I can count on good information from your posts. Thanks! I wish I could see all these great shows in London!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 1:12pm

I thought show curtains are mostly standard...Dirty Rotten, Wicked, Hairspray, Little Women, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, those all have show curtains...

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/14/06 at 1:56pm

I can't wait till it opens here since it's not likely I'll be in London within the next couple of years (though you never know, I guess). The cast recording is truly amazing - Electricity is one of my top played songs on my itunes by far.