Billy Elliot

source: Billy Elliot

I can't really explain it. I haven't got the words. It's a feeling... idk the rest. But beautiful song. Tom Holland has the voice of an angel. I don't know what to write but that song is tom hollands magnum opus.

There's really not much that can be said about this other than it is just fantastic. The energy and talent on display here is phenomenal and we get a front row seat - better in fact, because we're often actually on the stage watching from close quarters. Kudos to Elliott Hanna, in fact to anyone who performs the role of Billy Elliott. The amount of skill, athleticism and energy required (and on display here) is phenomenal. Young Elliott is wonderful and you'll be worn out watching him! He IS Billy Elliott. All the cast are great and the stagecraft is brilliant. I would suggest that you will enjoy this more if you have seen the movie first. If I was to make one criticism, and it's not really a criticism, it is the original musical score by Elton John. It's great and appropriate and enjoyable while you're actually watching the stage show, but there are no songs that you'll be humming afterwards. It's mostly pretty forgettable. Still, that doesn't detract at all from a great show and you won't be sorry you invested 2½ hours or so on this.

The story of this musical is wonderful, and I know many people who need to see a story like this. Well done! Bravo!

Billy Elliot is a film of the musical the stage. The characters are well casted so they suit the roles perfectly, most of the cast have a geprdie accent but theres only a few people throughout the film who dont have a Geordie accent. The main characters apart from Mrs wilkinsons and Mr braithwaite are agianst what billys doing but then dad realises that Billy being a dancer would be better than him being a miner.

Billy Elliot the Musical Live is so fun and also covers important topics and issues in its area. I think it was great having the film set in 1984 with the mining strike. It was also very clever using the ballet as it wasn't normal for boys. Also the LGBT stuff in Michael's character. These are just some things that bought very real problems to the story line. It was written well and that wasn't the only good thing about this show. I loved the stage set up and the actors in this musical were great. The talent that we see in some of the actors are phenomenal! The tap & ballet was choreographed so well. Good job to all the cast!

For some reason, I find that this musical version (based on the Oscar nominated 2000 movie) packs a far greater emotional punch. Perhaps it's because it's live or that they're able to expand a little bit more on the story but I found every scene involving Billy and his late mother just ripped my heart apart. Ruthie Henshall is a national treasure and was fantastic playing Mrs. Wilkinson as was Deka Walmsley who played the father. Credit must go to Elliott Hanna who was an incredible Billy who was (at the time) the youngest to assume the titular role. The stamina required to be a stage performer still blows me away and seeing all these actors literally caked in sweat while performing immensely difficult dance routines while singing persistently for 3 hours makes me appreciate just how incredible these performers are. I'm sad I was never able to watch this in the theatre before it came to an end but I'm thankful they released an edition on DVD. The acting, cinematography, the script, the clever lighting and tricks, the costumes, the music all make this one of the best musical stage productions ever to be made. Oh and the Tom Holland cameo at the end where all the past and present Billys performed a specially choreographed routine was brilliant. People often forget that this was where he started his career and I'm thrilled he took the time to return to the role for this special occasion.

Seeing this musical makes me incredibly sad, why? Because I never got the opportunity to see the amazingly skilled and talented dancers portraying Billy Elliot live! I never got the chance to see this specific performance in theaters either. Let me say this: Billy Elliot is so much more than a SPECTACULAR show! The first time I watched this performance, I couldn't help but believe every single moment, making it even more impressive since it was a live performance, and there were no second takes. Elliott Hanna, oh my goodness, this guy was born to be a star! He was 11 when playing Billy here! And he is perfect! His smile is so genuine, his personality is so love-able, and don't even get me started on his dancing. I'll just say this, Elliott is going places! The other members of this cast are just as brilliant, including Ruthie Henshall (Fantine from the 10th anniversary of Les Misérables) as Mrs. Wilkinson, Deka Walmsley as Jackie Elliott, Chris Grahamson as Tony Elliott, Liam Mower (one of the ORIGINAL Billy's), Zach Atkinson (AMAZING) as Michael, and Ann Emery as Billy's Grandma (HILARIOUS). This musical take on the just as touching 2000 film really brings Billy's dreams to life through the brilliance of Elton John's music; You truly root for the characters, you feel for Billy during "Angry Dance" and feel his passion in "Electricity." You also feel Jackie's pain during "Deep Into the Ground." I still cannot believe this was a filmed live show, and of course I'm envious of everyone who was able to see it! There's so much happiness, sadness, excitement, and hilarity that's so perfect in this show. And also, the finale of this show seriously took my breath away from excitement! The original masterful Billy's: Liam Mower, George Maguire, and James Lomas appear along with the other magnificent Billy's: Scott McKenzie, Aaron Watson, Rhys Yeomans, Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider- Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming), Ollie Gardner, Fox Jackson-Keen, Ryan Collinson, Matthew Koon, Josh Fedrick, Kaine Ward, Dean McCarthy, Layton Williams, Harris Beattie, Harrison Dowzell, Josh Baker, Leon Cooke, Redmand Rance, Ali Rasul, Ollie Joachim, and Matteo Zecca! These guys will literally make you jump for joy as you cheer them on, they really know how to fly, literally!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hands down, one of the best Broadway shows ever, it will transform your bad day into a good one, and you will wish you took ballet after you watch it!

Unless you're a fan of stage musicals, this is a big bust. The original movie was masterful, with the music selection and the direction and the cinematography. I so disliked every single thing about this stage production (with a couple exceptions). Not every single minor character needs a solo to pad it out to three hours, ffs. Mr. Braithwaite, for example. Really? Elliot Hanna was brilliant as Billy, and there were a couple set pieces that featured him that are tear-inducing. The rest of it... meh.

What an incredible ten year run coming to a close April 9th, 2016. From a man who never wrote songs combined with a man who embraces the production of fine art through any medium as collection of ideas and abilities. This movie is an epic example of how a decade of work can shine. Elliott, and every Billy, brought with them very little skill for this monstrosity of a role. What were you doing at 12? The stage, music, lighting, and fiery audience gives you a feel as if your a drone buzzing about the airspace of the Victoria Palace Theatre. There is not a character you wont be able to connect with. A tasteful buffet of all dance styles. Grab a box of Kleenex. Have watched it more than ten times now. Includes bonus performance. If you can't get to London get it to your TV.