July 2015 reviews - London

Reviews of the show
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patc
Mrs Wilkinson
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Re: July 2015 reviews - London

Post by patc »

Billy Whiz wrote: but I cannot believe that Pat was short of words :) It's definitely a first.
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jtsw1
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Re: July 2015 reviews - London

Post by jtsw1 »

Better late than never: Thanks, Pat, for such a great review of the show last thursday. I was there, too, and this is what I wrote afterwards (posted on facebook, edited a little):

This was the first time since the first time that a Billy-performance actually brought some tears to my eyes. He played the rough diamond that Billy ought to be with grace, perfect skill and pure authentic enjoyment. It all came naturally to him, his timing was on point and his acting was full of emotion but never too much (this is the hardest part, I think, well, apart from the dancing of course. Speaking of which, Nat's dancing is like a natural flow, a spring of pure beauty. Just fabulous and kinda rare.) It was actually the first time the Finale got me as much as the rest of the Show. The way Nat directed the cast and just performed like a born star was a raw expression of pure pride and enjoyment - and I guess here lies the key to my special excitement: You feel from the first second on that this Billy is a natural performer, a dancer that has to break free or go down ultimately. And at the end he blossoms in pride and joy! Nat was the seventh Billy I've seen, and for me that feeling of pride and joy never was more intense.

Some other observations: Chris G. has become better - less shouty. Wendy was a perfect Mrs Wilkinson, more natural than Ruthie, in my opinion (especially in the good-bye-scene! Her "thank you" came from the heart). Also, David B. as George ("I love George" on the toilet door, by the way - has it always been there? Noticed it for the first time) is perfect! I'm not too happy with Phil S. as Mr Braithwaite, though, "Born to Boogie" could work much better.

My seat in Dress circle row A was good to see the show as a whole, but I would have liked it more if I had sat in the front stalls 'cause as it turned out I was so captivated by Nat's performance that I watched him most of the time. I really could identify with his portrayal of a somehow "lost boy" who wins at the end (something I, personally, have yet to accomplish, to be honest, a feeling that makes it all the more emotional to me). I guess you just can't be lucky all the time. However, something to look even more forward to on my next London-trip, I hope!
- A. -

- What do I do??
- Follow the others... marching forward to socialism!
Dancer
Ballet Girl
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Re: July 2015 reviews - London

Post by Dancer »

I too was at Nat's show last Thursday. I don't often post reviews but just had to say that I was completely blown away by his performance - the first word that came to mind was "astonishing"!

Nat reminded me a little of ex-Billy Josh Baker in looks and the way he took over the stage and interacted with the cast. Nat really is that "triple threat" (yes I know this is a rather over-used cliche!) but aside from his singing and acting skills, it was his dancing that grabbed me by the throat! Wow! I was completely blown away! Feather light moves, the spins at the end of Solidarity (I was exhausted just watching!), gravity defying aerials in Electricity – they are all part of his repertoire. Angry Dance was probably one of the best I have seen. The music was loud with an amazing beat, and the music and Nat just somehow blended together, the two becoming one. Amazing! And so on to Electricity! Once again the audience would be held spellbound. Nat has done a lot of gymnastics in the past and I was a little disappointed that he does the ballet version of Electricity and not the street. But not for long! Nat's ballet moves were smooth and effortless and his spins light footed and as fast as a bullet. Actually, in fact, Nat did manage to throw in a few street moves for good measure: a couple of aerial twists that seemed to defy the laws of physics, and those backflips and spins Pat described above. Astonishing - yes, I've said that word again.

Long may Nat reign on the Victoria Palace stage :D .
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porschesrule
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Re: July 2015 reviews - London

Post by porschesrule »

Here's a nice review from a blogger who saw Brodie and cast recently at the VPT:

http://bigfunjoshieb.blogspot.com/2015/ ... l?spref=tw
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