The new Billy Elliot love thread
Joined: 12/31/69
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1100
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.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1101
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.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1102
Posted: 10/20/09 at 4:46pmI 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.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1103
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/
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1104
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.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1105
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
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1106
Posted: 10/27/09 at 5:56pmWell he DID leave out one word used by George...lol.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1107
Posted: 10/27/09 at 6:23pmOk 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!
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1108
Posted: 10/28/09 at 4:37amPlease no street billy. Please. I really don't want a street Billy. I was JUST saying that to Geridith a few days ago.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1109
Posted: 10/28/09 at 5:33amOh yee of little faith...someday you will see.:)
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1110
Posted: 10/28/09 at 8:31amLOL... someday... as in MAY, perhaps? Still keeping the dream alive :)
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1111
Posted: 10/28/09 at 4:52pmWell 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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/06
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1113
Posted: 10/28/09 at 8:33pmA 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)
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1114
Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:15pmWhy hasn't alex been performing?? Is he ok?
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1115
Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:19pmAlex is out for 2-3 months due to injury.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1116
Posted: 10/29/09 at 9:19am
**** that sucks, he only went on 3 times.
what did he do?
Joined: 12/31/69
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1117
Posted: 10/29/09 at 4:04pmThe 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.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1118
Posted: 10/29/09 at 4:39pmThe '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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/06
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1119
Posted: 10/29/09 at 4:48pmThe 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?
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1120
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.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1121
Posted: 10/31/09 at 12:42amLets 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.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1122
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
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1123
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.
The New Billy Elliot Love Thread#1124
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
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