Set in the North East, Billy Elliot is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy s dream. This original story captured the hearts of people around the world when the movie was released in October 2000. This poignant film broke box office records worldwide and was nominated for a raft of awards including 3 Golden Globes, 3 Oscars and 13 Bafta awards. The original multi-award winning creative team from the film: director Stephen Daldry, writer Lee Hall and choreographer Peter Darling are joined by music legend, Elton John, the most celebrated UK singer song-writer of the last 30 years, to create the most anticipated musical of the decade.
There’s a warning posted at the box office that Billy Elliot contains strong language. They could add that it also features even stronger emotion and raw feeling, not to mention the kind of captivating performances, amazing dancing and terrific melodies that will have you reaching not just for superlatives but also for your handkerchief, to wipe away tears of pure joy, sadness and excitement.
It took exactly forty years to bring Mary Poppins from the screen to the stage; Billy Elliot has now followed the same path in just five. Part of the reason for such a quick crossover is the retention of many of the 2000 film’s creative team, including director Stephen Daldry, writer Lee Hall and choreographer Peter Darling, who, newly joined by Elton John to provide the score, have re-visited the material to both deepen it but also to thrillingly give it the kind of vibrant immediacy that you can only get in the theatre.
For it has to put in front of us a real kid in the title role of the 11-year-old Durham coalminer’s son whose tender and uplifting rites of passage the story follows as he makes a surprise discovery of the joys of dancing one day when he stays behind in the village hall after his boxing class and ends up taking part in a girls’ ballet lesson. The boy playing Billy has to not only lead but also sustain a nearly three-hour show in which he’s hardly ever off the stage, execute some astonishing dance routines, sing and act. Never has the so-called “triple threat” of a musical performer’s armoury of talent been so mercilessly demanded of a child actor.
Inevitably, therefore, my account is only a partial review of the show. Of the three original Billy’s who share the role, I have only seen one: 12-year-old Liam Mower, who – like Billy aspires to in the show – has recently secured a place at the Royal Ballet School. Mower is an utter revelation, superbly charting the character’s journey from the tentative vulnerability of his damaged family life to the liberating confidence that he finds in performance.
But then the show also beautifully marries Billy’s fairytale journey with a gritty social realism as it’s played out against the background of the Miners’ Strike of 1984. Not since Blood Brothers first opened in 1983, in fact, has there been a new British musical that has combined a commentary on working class life in Thatcher’s Britain with a searing story of the growing pains of youth quite so powerfully or melodically.
Though I’ve lingered on the titular casting, I should add that there are tremendous contributions from fellow child actors Ryan Longbottom as his best friend Michael and Lucy Stephenson as Debbie on press night. In the adult roles, Haydn Gwynne is a tall, brassy delight as dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson and Tim Healy movingly charts Billy’s father’s journey from resistance to pride at his son’s dancing talent.
It’s impossible not to surrender to the joy of this most physical of the expressive arts. Especially not when Peter Darling so adeptly and vibrantly puts the very spirit of dance to the test by threading movement throughout; the result is quite possibly the greatest modern dance musical since A Chorus Line.
I was an emotional wreck for mosy of this show. Tom Holland was amazing as Billy. Everytime he danced I started to cry again and then when his dead mother appeared I was off again!! I can't believe I haven't been to see the show before now. It was wonderful. Such a talented bunch of people - led so well by amazing children. Can't wait to see it again (will take some hankies net time) - Stuart McConnachie
15 Aug 09
Went to see this for the second time after a 15 month gap. Different cast but overall just as enjoyable. Shows cant start to weaken in terms of their tightness over a long run but this hasnt. Still got the audience in all the right bits and got a standing ovation at a matinee which is some going. - kev
20 Mar 09
Oh my god! Did I see the same show as the reviewers on this page. If you want a show full of mournful miners wailing over the strike. A kid who dances the same moves repetitively. Children swearing. Awful songs, and a show not at all as good as the original movie. This show is for you, can I have a refund though please! - mark
27 Dec 08
I went to see this show last night for the second time - admittedly I haven't seen it since 2005 so I had forgotten a lot of the show.
Well what can I say, the way this show is directed is great, scenes blend into each other effortlessly that keeps the action moving, and even though the songs don't leave you humming the tunes all the way home, they help tell the story with enthusiasm and passion. Like I said I have seen this show previously but my memories of the boy who played Billy last time were far exceeded last night with Corey Snide in the title role.
His dancing was just superb, he managed to perform very difficult ballet moves for a young lad and still blend it with the rawness of Billy....which as Mrs Wilkinson says 'They are not expecting a finished package'. This show really puts you through the ringer in a rollercoaster of emotions, laughing one minute - TRYING not cry the next!! I had a fantastic evening and I would highly recommend this show to anyone who wants to have a good old fashioned fun night out.
NB Sorry, can't help myself. In response to comments lower down the page. I am a gay man whose grandfather was a Miner, and I did not find this show in anyway partonising on any front. People have very short memories, a lot of what is depicted is based on things that did happen during that time and saying that complex issues are over simplified - SO WHAT! This is a story about Billy, who grew up in a certain environment and deals with how that affected his life and his dreams of being a ballet dancer, not about trying to discuss what was write or wrong about Maggie Thatcher and Trade Unions! Go any enjoy this show for what it is - FUN!! - T Garrad
29 Apr 08
When you can say, after your 5th visit in almost three years since it opened, you can say it is as fresh, thrilling and uplifting as the first, you know it's a classic. Still wonderful. - Gareth James
22 Mar 08
Went into this thinking no musical can have such amazing reviews from the profesionals and public alike. However I was blown away by it. It shouldnt work....children on stage, policemen and miners singing and dancing, ballet and tap dancing. But it works superbly and is a joy to watch and remember. - Kev
25 Jan 08
absolutely amazing. Can't wait to go back. Witty, highly talented cast. - abi cox
01 Jan 08
fantastic choreography - layton williams as billy was incredible and i cant believe he's only 12! i have never been to a musical that has made me laugh so much, the whole cast have great comical timing ! a truly fantastic show and great performances ! well done ! - lilly
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