The new Billy Elliot love thread — Page 45

#1101

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/20/09 at 2:09pm

I have a question for the BE fans. I saw the show a few weeks ago (one of Kiril's last perfs) and I loved it, had a great time. But one small moment bothered me. (SPOILER ALERT sort of).
When Billy get's his letter from the school, he tells the family he didn't get in, then his brother pulls it out of the trash and they realize he was kidding. Why did they include that moment? Billy's character didn't seem like the kind of person who would do that. I loved in the film how they go in and find him freaked/scared, but it's because he DID get in. I think they could have played that moment the same in the musical. The didn't need to have him kid about something so important. Was it just to draw the suspense out longer? It felt phony and out of character to me.

#1102

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/20/09 at 3:29pm

Hmm... I don't know what Lee Hall's motivation was for putting it in (he also wrote the movie, so the source is the same) but I think the way it comes across has a lot to do with each individual Billy. Some Billys are more lighthearted or serious than others, which can make that moment make more or less sense.

While Kiril was amazing, I don't think his leaving should deter anyone from following the show. I highly recommend people see the newest Billy, Alex, he's got seriously amazing dance technique, and a little more acrobatics than we've seen previously in the US Billys.

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#1103

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/20/09 at 4:46pm

I have to agree with Geridith. I have been fortunate to see 16 boys play Billy. Whilst it is always sad when I see one leave the show it is also exciting to see the new Billys taking the first step on their wonderful journey.

#1104

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/24/09 at 6:38am

To celebrate five fantastic years of Billy Elliot the Musical in the West End, the producers are, for the first time, offering schools and youth groups the opportunity to stage their own production of this award winning show.

http://www.billyelliotthemusical.com/byt/

#1105

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/24/09 at 12:07pm

that is insane! i would love to do that!

does anybody have a full video of the show on broadway with trent kowalik?? i would love to see it.

#1106

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/27/09 at 10:45am

This is what you get for putting your kid in Billy Elliot ...

Former London small boy Eliot Carrington (plus a video of his 3 year old brother doing Electricity):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJIhoMzLJ3g

#1107

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/27/09 at 5:56pm

Well he DID leave out one word used by George...lol.

#1108

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/27/09 at 6:23pm

Ok I take that back...in another vid he did keep the bad word Billy says at the start...lol. Beyond cute, star in the making. Better keep up the training, pretty soon the world will need dozens of Billys a year(is there no limit at that talent level???) Though may I suggest throwing in a street billy to Broadway soon? I've been missing the Board flip!

#1109

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/28/09 at 4:37am

Please no street billy. Please. I really don't want a street Billy. I was JUST saying that to Geridith a few days ago.

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And hang on, when did you win the discus?

#1110

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/28/09 at 5:33am

Oh yee of little faith...someday you will see.:)

#1111

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/28/09 at 8:31am

LOL... someday... as in MAY, perhaps? Still keeping the dream alive :)

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#1112

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/28/09 at 4:52pm

Well May for certain...just not in THIS hemisphere,West End is becoming a no Ballet Billy zone for at least a short time it seems LOL.A healthy mix is better believe me.

#1113

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/28/09 at 5:24pm

what is a street billy??

#1114

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/28/09 at 8:33pm

A street Billy has choreography made up of hip-hop and more modern dance. You can see examples on youtube. (Matthew Koon and Fox Jackson-Keen)

#1115

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:15pm

Why hasn't alex been performing?? Is he ok?

#1116

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:19pm

Alex is out for 2-3 months due to injury.

#1117

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/29/09 at 9:19am

**** that sucks, he only went on 3 times.
what did he do?

#1118

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/29/09 at 4:04pm

The idea of a "street" Billy is absurd. The entire point is that he wants to dance BALLET. The producers should have the courage of their convictions, and not try and "hip" the show up, even in the angry dance and other parts of the show. The conflict of a boy wanting to dance ballet is the core of this show. I don't know many fathers who would be upset if their boy came home break-dancing.

#1119

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/29/09 at 4:39pm

The 'street' Billy concept makes me want throw up. I can't think of anything that would ruin Billy Elliot more. I always considered BETM as "high art" which is to say, an intellectual step above other broadway musicals; The ballet choreography being an essential componant to what makes this musical superior to others in recent years. Why would someone take the Mona Lisa and smear mud all over it? Because too many people had seen it the way it was and wanted to try something new? Inevitably, when this happens on Broadway, the angels will weep. I will never see a 'street' Billy performance as long as I live.

#1120

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/29/09 at 4:48pm

The choreography for the street Billys are pretty much the same with the changes being primarily in "Electricity". The ballet elements of the show are still there. Have either of you seen the videos on youtube?

#1121

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/29/09 at 8:01pm

Its also interesting to note that of the three original London Billys, only one (Liam Mower) was actually a ballet Billy.

I'm not saying I'm necessarily a fan of street Billys, but its certainly nothing new, and I wouldn't NOT see the show because of it.

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#1122

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 10/31/09 at 12:42am

Lets remember that even in the MOST pure Ballet Billy STILL does acro in Electricity so its already compromised from the"Billy can only do ballet" point of view. All I can say is that I'm laughing my butt off here because I KNOW 90% of the people who say they wont like it WILL. Besides in the end doenst matter what WE think only what the average theatre goer thinks...and London proves they like the dancing, what that is specificly doesnt seem to matter much. But I will bet anyone here a tenner they will change their minds.

#1123

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 11/9/09 at 1:11am

Jake Schwencke, who recently appeared in Bye Bye Birdie will be joining the Billy Elliot cast as Michael. There is a picture posted on Allie Trimm's Twitter.

Does that mean Keean's on his way out? Or will there be a third Michael?
Twitter Pic + Caption

#1124

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 11/9/09 at 1:25am

Does that mean Keean's on his way out?

Unless I'm ill-informed, Keean is on his way to the Chicago cast.

#1125

The New Billy Elliot Love Thread

Posted: 11/9/09 at 2:25am

Two Dayton Tavares articles:
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26312907-29277,00.html
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/11/08/1257614959548.html