The new Billy Elliot love thread- Page 37

[mybigsplash]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 3:50pm

So apparently according to All That Chat, Last Night, Tommy was Billy, and Trent was Tall Boy, but at intermission, THEY SWITCHED ROLES???? thats so wierd? Does that mean, when they have another Billy Actor play tall/posh they don't have a third billy as standby? Because if Tommy were sick or injured, thats too bad he had to keep doing the show in a different role.

ANY INFO FROM ANYONE WHO SAW THIS??

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 7:08pm

I saw Kiril, Trevor, and Jayne Paterson at the matinee today.

[xxCindyxx]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 10:52pm

Saw Trevor's second performance (Sunday, August 23 at 3pm). PM me for the full review, which I wrote on another message board site.

Overall he was quite brilliant. A bit too young to be believable as Billy's best friend, but he's excellent.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 11:02pm

I thought he was a little tiny, young, and perhaps was missing a certain Je ne c'est quoi for a gay boy.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 11:18pm

Well, I have yet to see him but Trevor is actually 11 which I would assume is Michael's age as is Billy's.

[Jenna Maroney]

Posted: 8/23/09 at 11:21pm

I was also at the Sunday matinee - it was my first time at BE, and I loved it. Kiril was so, so brilliant. And this was only Trevor's second show? Amazing.

I haven't seen every musical adapted from a film (nor do I care to), but this has got to be in the top five. I just fear I'll be accosted by Maggie Thatcher masks in my dreams tonight!

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 9:42am

"Well, I have yet to see him but Trevor is actually 11 which I would assume is Michael's age as is Billy's."

Actually, it's how an actor plays rather than what their real age is.

It was a little strange seeing how Kiril towered over the little boy yesterday. It looked like Trevor was his much younger brother.

[Geridith]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 1:22pm

In response to the above post about Friday... they did indeed switch. If you read the comments on Trent's blog from the new posts, he confirms that Tommy fell and hurt his hand during the first act, so they switched for the remainder of the show. It was announced at intermission.

[mybigsplash]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 1:50pm

Thanks Geri! That makes sense.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 1:52pm

Jane, while that is true, you can look a part; and Trevor looks his age, which is 11.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 1:58pm

I guess that's a matter of opinion, wishing only wounds.

The fact that he's small for his (real and imagined) age, and the fact that he's playing opposite Kiril, who is a lot taller than he is, and can no longer play 11, or 12, or 13, (in real life he'll be 16 on his next birthday, and looks it) doesn't help.

I'm not denying that both young men are extremely talented. I enjoyed the show, and both of their performances.

I'm just voicing what I thought were flaws.

[mybigsplash]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 1:58pm

Although I didn't see Trevor Perform this weekend, my feeling is that The Billy Boys are too old looking, not that Trevor is too young looking. When I went and saw BE in UK earlier this summer, all the Billys were 12-13, and all the Michaels were 11-12. Subsequently, the Michael I saw was 11, and the Billy I saw was 12. I think that eventually this will be the case in NY, once they start phasing out the original boys. The Billys in NY will never be again as old as Trent David and Kiril are now. Its going to be inevitably awkward during this transition period before the old boys leave and the new boys are joining. The voices alone will cause a severe disconnect between the Michael and Billy roles in regards to their characters ages.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 2:01pm

I agree with you splash, except for the point about Trevor. He doesn't look or act old enough for the role IMO.

I spoke with a staffer at the Imperial yesterday, and it seems all the original Billys will be leaving at about the same time, as they all have grown too old for the role.

Just thought I'd add that the image of the young Michael from the film, which IMO was brilliant, is what I can't help using as the ideal.

Updated On: 8/24/09 at 02:01 PM

[mybigsplash]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 2:20pm

Yeah Trevor does seem younger than The Michael from the film. But of course, Michael in the stage musical is a much more energetic character, some of that is attributed to enhanced youthfulness, and the rest is added flamboyance. When I think of the Michael from the film, I always think of Frank Dolce, who I never got to see in the role. But I did enjoy Keean Johnson, who IMO is the best look and age for the role. I don't think ALL the boys will be leaving at the same time. I know Alex Ko is gonna be the Next Billy, which means he can only replace one of the boys assumedly. Unless they decide to bring Tanner Back from UK, to replace a second boy. I've always had a theory that's what they might do (like Trent did).

As for Trevor, I guess I'll understand when I get around to seeing him. The roles of Michael and Billy will evolve as the actors get progressively younger, and there will be other changes such as choreography. Future Billys will not have the same talent/years of experience as Kiril Trent and David, since the new actors will have had less years of dancing training. I expect Choreography to get much simpler. The Choreography in the UK is so much simpler than in the US.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/24/09 at 2:44pm

Just as a side note to this thread-in the film I was astounded when I saw the grown up Michael attending Swan Lake. He looked EXACTLY like the young Michael, only grown up. I still can't get over it. I swear, the two must be brothers!

What genius casting!

[mybigsplash]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 12:21pm

According to Twitter, The Boys of Billy Elliot will be at Planet Hollywood tonight at 5:30 for a Memorabilia Donation, and Photo Op. Sounds Cool.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 12:50pm

"Future Billys will not have the same talent/years of experience as Kiril Trent and David, since the new actors will have had less years of dancing training."

Not true. And it's absurd to think that it is true.

[Billy Whiz]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 1:32pm

I agree Fosse76. It certainly hasn't been the case in London so I don't see any reason why it should be in New York.

I also notice that mybigsplash didn't mention Tommy who has, in my opinion, the same talent and years of experience as the other three.

[Geridith]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 11:56pm

Alrighty.... whos going on Sat eve again? Anyone?

[BwayPersonified]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 12:42am

I just saw it a week or so ago. I saw Kiril. I loved it, but it was clear he has outgrown the part. He could hardly hit some of the higher notes. He is certainly very talented, but not right anymore. And opposite David, it seemed very peculiar. I read somewhere Kiril is scheduled to leave in November?
Anyways, I was very impressed by the show, and especially by Gregory Jbara. Such an amazing talent, as well as an incredibly nice man. So down to earth, and seems to love what he's doing. I hope to be like him someday.

[Salene]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 7:35am

New ballet girl Kara Oates:
http://www.ss-times.com/archives/4035

[lolabeanz]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 8:21am

I saw Kiril last week, and his outstanding dancing and performance overshadowed any doubt that he is "too old" for the part, however for some reason Trevor seemed more of a little brother than a best friend, but he was really good otherwise. I was actually suprised how high he sang.
Would it not be perfect if all original billys performed together at the anniversary show in november???

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:43am

"I read somewhere Kiril is scheduled to leave in November?"

My understanding is that they will not fire any of the kids for outgrowing the role...and that they will be able to continue until the end of their contract before being replaced. I think this is to avoid the firings that constantly occur in other shows when children outgrow their roles. The boys will be well cared-for.

[xxCindyxx]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 11:39am

Kiril's final performance will be Sat, Oct 3 at 8pm.
David Bologna's final performance will be Sun, Sep 27 at 3pm.
Haydn Gwynne's final performance will be Sun, Oct 4 at 3pm.


Ko and Hennig Will Join Cast of Broadway's Billy Elliot; Kulish, Gwynne, Bologna Depart

[Jenna Maroney]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 12:04pm

My understanding is that they will not fire any of the kids for outgrowing the role...and that they will be able to continue until the end of their contract before being replaced. I think this is to avoid the firings that constantly occur in other shows when children outgrow their roles.

I hope that's the case. But wouldn't Kiril, David and Trent's contracts expire around the same time?