Billy Elliot the Musical

I was quite indifferent about the film, so when I was invited to go to the show, I didn’t have high hopes, but, luckily for me, I left the theatre on an absolute high.
The show had it all, drama, comedy, great dance sequences, and unlike the guy who plays Billy Elliott in the film, the boy they cast in this play was a spectacular dancer. The choreography at the end when he’s all grown up so beautiful and I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
Definitely up there with the top musicals.

I loved the film and thought I’d enjoy the show as the soundtrack to the film was so good. Unfortunately it soon became clear that the music from the film wasn’t in the show and it had its own showtunes. This wasn’t to its detriment however, the music was great, the storyline both funny and emotional and the dancing kids… well they were just amazing! Thoroughly enioyed it!

I’ve seen this musical twice and i could easily watch it another time because it is that amazing. The cast is incredible, especially the boys playing Billy: they dance, sing, do some salto’s, tapdance, all while acting really well. Then there’s also the interesting way in which the strike is combined with ballet, making it one beautiful struggle. If you don’t know which musical to watch in London, this is the one!

Very disappointed in the production and very uncomfortable in the seats.
I was really really looking forward to seeing this show. You plan to go to London for months and you pick out the one show you really want to go to and it falls kind of flat, it’s a disappointment.
The show started and just when the first scene with Billy was to come up, they closed the curtains and the stage director comes out and says that there is a technical difficulty, please wait. He comes back after about 5 minutes and says that there is an issue with the actor who plays Billy and that his understudy will be doing the show. Unusual way to handle that, like they didn’t know that just 5 minutes before the opening curtain went up, but fine.
After about 20 minutes, the curtain comes down again and the stage director comes out and says there is a technical difficulty. We have to wait about 10 — 15 minutes, and the show starts again.
At another point in the show, after the intermission, same thing AGAIN, «sorry, there are technical difficulties…» This time it went on so long they let us leave the auditorium to go to the bathroom etc, must have been at least 15 to 20 minutes. This show has been running for a long time, but the «technical difficulties» were what you would expect from a Preview, not a West End staple. Very very sloppy execution.
The play was OK, I loved the movie and it sort of follows that of course, but I could have done without the big Maggie Thatcher number, it was kind of a self absorbed number from the acting and execution standpoint. If you are under 40 and a Yank, you would have no idea what the heck was going on.
Not all of the actors were mic’d well and difficult to hear or discern what they were saying. Very inconsistent audio levels. I’m an American and my ear isn’t well tuned to some of the accents so the ones that were the microphone and level had them set to a «mumble» level was just lost dialog for me, I couldn’t hear it and therefore couldn’t understand it.
Last but not least are the seats. I can’t imagine having to ever sit in those teeny tiny cramped seats again. I’m only 5’10 and my knees were JAMMED up against the seat in front of me. I mean actually wedged hard against the seat in front, it was terribly uncomfortable.

Here is an inspirational story befitting of any age. It is sometimes subtle in what it is trying to achieve but always charming and poignant to the moment in time that it is trying to capture. Unsurprisingly Billy himself steals the show and the performance of the song Electricity is certainly memorable. Altogether the quality of dancing, choreography and singing is good all-​round. However, for all intensive purposes I think the staging could’ve been better and the story could’ve been told in a more engaging and simple manner as it seemed rather brutish and chaotic at times, so not quite making the emotional impact that it could have done. In short, as long as you enjoy watching dance and listening to Elton John music and don’t mind a North-​Eastern accent then this show is worth going to see.

Normally I have only the slightest interest theater musicals and dancing. I saw the movie years ago like everyone else and was slightly positive on it. The theatrical version playing now at the Victoria Palace was incredible. The first act attractive little bit for me, the second really took off. The songs are not that memorable, but the overall story, the acting, and the dancing made up for all of that. I enthusiastically recommend that anyone with an interest and theater or the human condition spend a couple of hours with Billy Elliot.

I came to see this because I really enjoyed the film. A friend wanted to see it as well and it was the best idea ever!
The show was filled with a brilliant cast. Even if the accent and slangs were sometimes a bit difficult to understand, maybe it’s just because we were both Canadian.
Either way, both my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Bring tissues if you love your mum. We both sobbed like little girls.

Billy Elliot: The Pantomime would be a better title.
The film is everything great about British cinema; gritty, involving, great acting.
Sadly the ‘musical’ only manages to be two of these things. The acting, I have to say, is great. It’s sadly let down by a wretched, horrible script which really should be ashamed to associate itself with the original film.
All the great music from the film (T-​Rex, The Jam, The Clash) is gone. In its place are jokes which ranged from plain poor (an old lady swearing being pitched as a joke? Really?) to homophobic («The gay and lesbian society have donated some meat to the raffle… mince and faggots», a particularly bad example). Why the writers have felt the need to do this is absolutely beyond me. It was like reading a copy of The Star from 1987.
Finally the theatre itself, while lovely, is so short on legroom that you will barely be able to walk when you leave.
All in all I was left bitterly disappointed by the show. If you have kids or haven’t seen the film I’d imagine it’d be an entertaining night out. Otherwise, sadly, I fear you may feel the same way I did.

I really enjoyed this musical – I have never seen the movie but I always enjoy the theater to the screen. I brought my 8 and 10 year old to Billy Elliott for kids week and we had seen Matilda earlier in the summer. We all give Billy Elliott 2 thumbs up and 5 stars for the cast. I can’t even imagine how much grit and determination goes into being Billy Elliott. We were amazed by the performances and the music is wonderful. Michael and Billy singing and dancing to Expressing yourself was definitely our favorite scene. And Billy singing Electricity was phenomenal.
There is a lot of swearing which kids thought was funny and it was hard for them to understand the subject in the beginning as it opens with the cast members going on strike and they didn’t understand what striking is so maybe give kids a quick lesson in unions and mining.
Highly recommend this show for all ages!

Emerveillée par cette comédie musicale de 3h, où l’on né voit absolument pas le temps passer!
Déjà, il faut le dire, le film était top! Et bien la comédie musicale est une très bonne adaptation du film. Les décors sont supers et originaux, les comédiens jouent chantent et dansent à la perfection!
Nous étions avec des gens qui né parlent pas l’anglais, et ils ont tout autant apprécié donc il né faut pas avoir peur de sauter le pas!

On the heels of my friend YG’s review… just simply loved it. Had every element of the human story (of struggle, and toil) that could powerfully impact a viewer. Set against the backdrop of the coal miners’ plight in Northumbria (i’ve only made it as far as the Lake D., and Hadrian’s Wall) a few decades ago, *any*body who has faced adversity will identify.
Anyone fighting for one’s own dreams realized, and the constant struggle to persevere vs. resign will identify. The dancing of the children and the whole musical touched even a hard-​hearted one as Ramsay… swimming upstream and against the masses requires a lot of inner fortitude and a conviction rooted in the soul.
Loved it after watching the flick. Went BACK to re-​watch the flick after this performance on a rainy night in March. My relatives went to London shortly after i did, and my influence was not lost on them. They too loved the show. It also showed here in SF last year sometime…
amazing storyline… heartrending as anything. And yes, I shed many a tear… in addition, have ZERO idea how the lead dancer is as cardiovascularly fit as to dance continuously for so many minutes, and so many numbers. Truly awesome to watch the children perform.
Landing first stall seats with absolutely nothing to hinder the view was a super plus… first time I’ve ever nabbed such quality orchestra seats for a performance… ever!
So handy and close to the Tube – Victoria stop (thought that would be rather self-​evident, given the venue is historic Victoria Palace). I leave you with: «I am NOT A POOF!!!»

Billy Elliott the movie was a small mainstream hit relating the story of a talented eleven year old boy’s battle to be allowed develop this potential and audition for a place at the Royal Ballet School, told against backdrop of his broken family’s involvement in the violent 1984 miners’ strike against Thatcher’s closure of British coal mines and devastation of whole mining communities in the north of England
Perhaps not the most obvious material for a musical, it has been transformed with the help of music by Elton John, onto the stage successfuly, reproducing with the help of some impressive use of sets and lighting and the non-​operatic quality of the singers’ voices, the gritty atmosphere of the siege mentality of the little Durham pit town back in the dark days of the strike.
While the story’s soaring inspiration comes from Billy’s struggle against the odds and prejudice against ballet being for ‘poofs’, the story is really also a study into the class war. This struggle is perhaps best illustrated by the interesting juxtaposition of Billy and his dad’s northern working class vowels with the clipped exaggerated upper class nasal tones of a local well to do London family attending the same audition. However, perhaps the most poignant moment and commentary on the meeting of these 2 worlds is when the disembodied voice of one of the ballet school interviewers wishes Billy’s dad good luck with the strike with all sincerity and perhaps a little guilt over pre-​judging Billy because of his background. I did feel a sense of poignant sadness at the end of the show, knowing that we were seeing the end of those brave, hard-​working and heroic mining families and communities, reflecting the 200 000 men who lost their jobs in real life, all facts related in the show.
The young actor playing Billy did dance well for someone so young and it was wonderfully contrasted in one dance scene with an older dancer mirroring his steps and jumps, allowing us to see Billy’s potential transformed into soaring ability and talent.
However, I thought the young actor playing his camp best friend, Michael, the only one in the show other than his ballet teacher to encourage his balletic aspirations, stole the show with some funny lines and appropriately camp dancing!
During this time of recession and questioning of disparity in pay and the rich not paying their fair share in tax, this musical’s heart and soul is perhaps appropriate for the times that we live in though it’s the dancing which will stay with you for awhile.
So, why not 5 stars? Well, like all modern musicals, on leaving the theatre, I set myself the task of humming one musical phrase from the show and unlike my older favourites like Phantom, Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, I was unable to do so. With the older musicals, the music was in my head for weeks. Also, in trying to stick slavishly to the film, there were a few flat moments in the show when the pace slackened and a slightly tedious last 20 minutes was fortunately rescued by a high energy ensemble dance number by the whole cast after the initial curtain call so that you do walk out on a high.
Oh and in case, you’re thinking about taking a date, young kids or your parents to the show, there is a lot of swearing in the show, even by the young kids and Billy’s grandma and also a lot of rude gestures. You’ve been warned!

i went to see this production on 18^th November 2010 and was so disappointed. After the elation of the film which I’ve watched over and over again and always felt so enchanted by, the stage version was so disappointing. Wasn’t particularly keen on the musical score, seemed very cabaret, and the multiple swearing by the young child actors was unpleasant… OK a little swearing would have made the point but from such young children it just seemed unnecessary. The comedy element was over played. And most importantly I was looking forward to seeing a little more of the adult Billy as a ballet dancer, instead it ended with singing tap dancing troupe… all wrong for me.
I agree with the previous reviewer… not a patch on Les Mis, nor on the original film.

Fantastic show, apart from the swearing, it was great!

I went to Billy Elliot because the Lion King wasn’t showing. So happy the Lion King was showing. Billy Elliot was one of those fabulous surprises evoking the complete opposite feeling to ‘I’m not mad, just disappointed’. You know; happiness, even pride.
Billy Elliot is the stage adaptation of the movie by the same name about a young boy whose dream it is to dance ballet. Based on a true story, it weaves through the themes of friendship, family, acceptance and the hard challenges of simply growing up.
The cast were incredible and really made the show work. Imagine this; hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap and back flips in the in-​betweens whilst singing, reciting and producing more energy than a Dutch windmill farm they say men can’t multi task, but apparently boys can, these guys were 12!
The score, curiosity of Elton John, was nothing short of magical. The music swings and twists and turns and lifts and slides like a ribbon entangling it’s catchy self into memory. Fun, funky and just bliss for the ear.
The love/​energy/​passion between the cast is infectious and every-​single member of the excitable audience caught the bug. And everyone, yes everyone, left wanting more and more and more.
This is a fantastic show and I challenge anyone not to fall in love with it. Tis Beauty!

Fantastic show — love the script and the songs, and the cast (not especially but notably the children!) are all outstanding and amazing dancers/​singers/​actors.
Just thought — when I last saw it (seen it twice), it lacked energy and it looked a little tired, which is understandable since they perform it 8 shows a week, but that sort of let it down — the actors didn’t look like they were particularly bothered and that reflected onto the audience, I think!
But still, fantastic show to go and see! The dancing is always flawless :0)

We had a personal introduction from the Director at tonight’s performance of Billy Elliot The Musical as he was introducing a few new members of cast including a new Billy Elliot played by twelve year old Brad Wilson from Doncaster. Apparently he is the thirtieth boy to play the role worldwide!
The musical brings the hit movie and more to the stage. You have a young boy who is a miner’s son aching to find his inner person amidst the conflict of the 1984 miners’ strike in Durham. There are tears, there is anger, implied violence, love — it has it all. The whole musical really works together from the score, to the band, to the sets, to the performances — a great show.
There were two pieces in tonight’s performance that were the highlghts for me — the first being the last solo by Billy at the end of the (very long) first half where he is expressing his anger at being denied a chance to audition for the Royal Ballet School and the second being the first solo at the start of the second half where Billy is this time expressing his sorrow at a future which is apparently devoid of dance. The first was loud, it was angry, it was agressive. In contrast the second, part of it in tandem with a future older Billy, was gentle, passionate, touching and breathtakingly beautiful. Both performances were veyr physically demanding and I was impressed that the new Billy had the stamina to maintain his high level throughout the whole show.
I was also impressed by the boy who played Billy’s friend Michael. He had great comic timing and his dancing skills weren’t half bad either. This is not the say that the cast were just background to these two boys — everyone had their role to play and they played it to perfection.
The musical is very long with the first half going for more than 90 minutes and the whole show, including a short interval, lasting about three hours and 15 minutes. The encore was kind of cute with a dancing Billy weavng in and out of the performers for a final piece. Two standing ovations were given — that’s how impressed we all were with the show.

OMG i was very sceptical about the musical because i love the film beyond reason and because i live near by to where it is set i didnt want the musical version to put me off but it was truly amazing! i totally recommend you take your whole family to see this as it is such a fabulous storyline and the songs are stunning. i have seen numerous boys play the role of billy and they are all super talented so you will certainly not be disappointed by which actor you see star in the show. the whole cast are amazing and by the end of the show the entire audience were on their feet cheering — not something you often see nowadays!
go see it!
now!

Klasse Musical zu einem klasse Film.
Mein Freundin hatte mit die Karte für das Musical geschenkt und es hat sich wirklich gelohnt. An den Sprachslang mußte man sich zwar erstmal gewöhnen aber das hat schnell geklappt. Leider war es total andere Musik als wie im Film, aber das hat der Story und dem Spaß keinen Abbruch getan.

A wonderful show. Having seen the movie we were not sure what to expect but our attention was held for the whole show — we laughed, we cried and we gave a standing ovation — all at a Saturday matinée. Even though the show has been running for 3 years, the performances felt fresh and energetic — all the cast seemed to enjoy themselves. The youngsters were great but it is the sight of the ‘miners’ — some of these guys were heavyweights– throwing themselves around the stage in their tutus– which will linger. The language is pretty strong — be aware if you are planning to take children or your Granny to the show!
We were a part of 12 people — from 30 to 65 years old — and everyone thought it was fantastic. Definitely the best show I have seen.

Indelibly British, the stage version of this story is well-​executed and believable. Hard as nails when it needs to be, showing the harshness of life in the mining north of Britian, yet soft and sensitive when dealing with the children and the fulfilment of their dreams.
Billy finds out he has a talent for dancing and skips his boxing classes to join the girls at ballet. Hi father and brothers are on strike at the mines and life is hard. When he’s family finds out about his dancing, they are very unhappy. He has the opportunity to make something of himself and use his talent to give him a leg-​up from the mire he lives in, but this will take a lot of suffering from his family.
Real and raw, the acting in this musical is quite exceptional. The Victoria Palace Theatre is well suited to the set and the scene for this story. The stage is beautifully done and the star of the show Billy is exceptional.
Do yourself a favour, but be sure to remember the tissues

To be honest, I was rather disappointed after I left this production. Perhaps it had just been built up too much for me, but I was expecting more. After having seen Wicked the week before, I felt that there was no comparison. Where Wicked was witty and enchanting, Billy Elliot felt tired and as if it all rested on the shoulders of a young boy who may be off form on any particular night. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the music and while the dance scene with Billy and the adult dancer was great, I am firmly of the opinion that dance alone does not an amazing musical make! Its still worth watching, but don’t expect anything along the lines of Wicked or Les Mis!