Chat About BETM Estonia - March 28-April 18 and May 7-9

[Darth_Revan]

Two boys from the show on a children's tv program.
There are a lot of talk, but it worth watching as they do some tapping together and one of them sings the Letter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRidEIOxaNE

[Darth_Revan]

Learning how to fly

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=65 ... =3&theater

[kport]

This is from 'Billy Elliot ja Nädalalõpp Kanal 2-ga' ('Billy Elliot and the Weekend with Channel 2') - a 15 minute tv segment, featuring Expressing at the start, and Deep into the Ground at the conclusion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxC06tsi1-I

[cglaid]

This is from 'Billy Elliot ja Nädalalõpp Kanal 2-ga' ('Billy Elliot and the Weekend with Channel 2') - a 15 minute tv segment, featuring Expressing at the start, and Deep into the Ground at the conclusion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxC06tsi1-I

Oy vey. Sorry, but it looks like Billy has very little stage presence. Also, the "choreography" is very amateurish.

I think that Billy Elliot RELIES on having a Billy Elliot who can actually dance... I mean, that is the driving force of the show after all, and when it doesn't, so much of the power and shine is diminished and takes away from the goodness of the show.

I get that places are eager to mount productions, now that the rights are available, but it is a very skill-specific show and if it's not met, it's not worth it. I'm sure I'll receive backlash, but that's my opinion.

[Darth_Revan]

I think you judge too quickly, wait until they have the premier and see the boys perform on stage.

[ERinVA]

I agree. I had no problem with their dancing/choreography.

I had the impression, however, that they were concentrating very hard on the choreography at this point, so there was no attempt made to "act" or "sell it" to the audience. I'm not sure that it is their fault. That is something they should have been directed to do, and apparently they weren't.

[Darth_Revan]

the show doesn't open until a year from now.

I hope you're wrong as I have two tickets for the show in April
The premier will be 28th March.

[ERinVA]

As you can see, I edited my post, Darth. I had misread the dates, but I corrected myself. However, you beat me to it with your response before I had a chance to do so.

[kport]

The thing is this: regionals are bound to depart from the norms/high standards/expectations that are held by seasoned BETM fans. It HAS to happen. Add to that a locale which speaks a different language and has quite a different history from that in England, and you have to expect some uncertainty before it opens. It makes perfect sense.

That said, this particular show will have a run long enough for it to find its feet and find its soul. Neither may be the same as we experience at the VPT or on Tours, but in a funny sort of way these different approaches and attempts can only strengthen a great musical. Some will hit the target; some will miss; but the majority of patrons will take each one as it comes, and see the story as the point - and enjoy it.

[ERinVA]

Here is a translation of the list of cast and creatives from the official website for the production. http://noorteater.ee/muusikal/ :

Music ELTON JOHN
libretto and lyrics LEE HALL
original version directed by Stephen Daldry

Director and choreographer Teet Kask
Music Manager KAIRE glint
artist MARIA Ducasse (Norway)
Lighting Designer Trui Malten (Netherlands)
Stepptantsu choreographer MATTHEW JORDAN (UK)
näitejuht NEEME KING
Assistant Director-choreographer Helen Veidebaum
Translator Kirke Kangro

Starring Mait Malmsten, Kaire Vilgats Kaspar Ruff, Rudolf Bauman, Op cream, Reet City, George Vlassov, Dagmar Oja, Andres Roosileht, Rolf Roosalu, Op Blizzard, Maximo Erm, Cape King, Alar Haak, Tiit Talla , etc., and the band Terminator extended Composition

I know we have threads already created, but I do wish the site had individual bios with photos to make it clear who is playing what.