I’ve been getting dizzy trying to come up with adjectives for “Billy Elliot the Musical” and it all simply comes down to “wow.” Taken from the Oscar winning movie directed by Stephen Daltry and written by Lee Hall, the musical soars to new theatre heights. The same team that made the movie created the less gloomy musical version, with the addition of Elton John’s music. Nothing has been spared to recreate the heart wrenching theme with a tragically comedic thread, which weaves through the plot and brings a more human element to the musical.
The threat of mine closures and the hardship the miners in Durham, northeastern England in 1984 by the Thatcher party is the basis for the plot. Interwoven is a boy’s struggle with his desire to become a ballet dancer in a macho driven society.
How do I describe the ballet de core made up of 8- to 12-year-olds in tutu’s that out-dance, out-act and out-charm their contemporaries in any show anywhere? Professionally scrumptious will just have to inadequately do.
Then there is Billy Elliot, a role so demanding that this production carries four to five leading young men (aged 13 to 15) who alternate shows and were chosen from auditions held nationwide from more than 1,500 tryouts. The Billy character incorporates ballet, modern, tapping, flying, acting and singing with the polish and professionalism of his more-experienced peers. The flying Swan Lake number that has Billy dancing and flying with himself in the future is inspiring. Peter Darling’s choreography is daring and electrifying.
The role of Mrs. Wilkinson, the cigarette sucking, burnt out ballet teacher with an eye for Billy’s talent, is formidably precious. Her projection is so satisfying you find yourself adoring her grit and her hidden controlled sensitivity makes you want to get to know her better.
The entire extremely strong cast makes this show a complete satisfaction. Ian MacNiel’s innovative sets appear from everywhere with smoothness unfolding and sliding from walls and ceilings, combined with Rick Fisher’s inspired lighting gives the audience a feeling of being a part of the production. A strong conductor brings in a well coordinated orchestra.
This show walked away with 10 Tonys in 2009, and has won 73 other awards worldwide. “BETM” first opened in the United Kingdom in 2005, in Australia in 2007, on Broadway in 2008 and then Korea, the United States and Canada touring companies in 2013. Nothing has been spared to make “Billy Elliot the Musical” one of the finest shows to appear on any stage.
If you want to be completely entertained and see theatre history go see “Billy Elliot the Musical.”
Camille Bounds is the arts, entertainment and special events editor for Western Division of Sunrise Publications.
