Themes and sub-plots missed at first viewing

[ActingDude17]

I think that I like BETM so much because the musical numbers are not just added numbers but a part of the plot. I dislike most musicals because the songs seem like they don't seem to belong.

I agree completely. Unlike many musicals, Billy Elliot uses the music to explore the truth within the story and characters, not run from it.

[accessmenj]

Of the nineteen musical numbers, only six were not actually performed as part of the plot. But even these songs, like "He Could Shine" were using music to portray intense emotion in an opera-style that adds power to exchange. Billy Elliot The Musical is serious theater.

[accessmenj]

In order to finish the "Themes and sub-plots missed at first viewing", and to prove to new viewers of this forum that Billy Elliot The Musical is not just a story about a boy who wants to dance, here is a list of these themes and sub-plots. And there are more. See which ones you picked up after only your first or second show.

Achieving a Dream
Miner's Future Destroyed by own Government
Rejection of Grandma, Billy, Michael
Grief Expressed as Denial, Anger, Depression, Acceptance
Hunger, both Physical and Emotional
Parent's Wishes vs. Child's, Debby and Billy
Life Imitates Art, Actor's Roles and Children's Life Stories
Greek Tragedy, Doomed Fate
Altruism, Helping Someone Else Achieve their Dream
Denial of Reality
Self Perception and Fantasy vs. Reality
Hopelessness brings Violence and Hate
Violence and Conflict's Effect on Children
Conservative Society vs. Socialism
Personal Failure and Living Vicariously
Dealing with Anger
Compromise of Goals and Future
Art is an Expression for All, Especially the Downtrodden
Life's Gritty Reality
People's Enemy is the Government
Acceptance, Everyone is Special
Traditional Father's Role Needs to Change
It Takes a Village...
Jealousy becomes Support

In addition to these previously discussed themes and sub-plots, the National Student review points out another; the pessimism of adults compared to the optimism of youth.

"This is the musical for people that don't like musicals. If, like the men in Billy's small minded community, you find musicals to be a lot of prancing about, all jazz hands and no substance then think again. This musical is more than about a boy that wants to dance. It's about a family readjusting after a great loss, it's about an entire community being stripped of the source of their income and it's about overcoming your inhibitions and looking at the world through the eyes of an optimistic child instead of a pessimistic adult."

[ActingDude17]

In addition to these previously discussed themes and sub-plots, the National Student review points out another; the pessimism of adults compared to the optimism of youth.

"This is the musical for people that don't like musicals. If, like the men in Billy's small minded community, you find musicals to be a lot of prancing about, all jazz hands and no substance then think again. This musical is more than about a boy that wants to dance. It's about a family readjusting after a great loss, it's about an entire community being stripped of the source of their income and it's about overcoming your inhibitions and looking at the world through the eyes of an optimistic child instead of a pessimistic adult."

Unfortunately, Billy is the exception rather than the rule when it comes to this matter.

[accessmenj]

Adding to the list of things that are often missed at the first viewing of Billy Elliot The Musical

Achieving a Dream
Miner's Future Destroyed by own Government
Rejection by others of Grandma, Billy, Michael
Grief Expressed as Denial, Anger, Depression, Acceptance
Hunger, both Physical and Emotional
Parent's Wishes vs. Child's,- Debby's mom and Billy 's dad
Life Imitates Art, Actor's Roles and Children's Life Stories
Greek Tragedy, Doomed Fate
Altruism, Helping Someone Else Achieve their Dream
Denial of Reality
Self Perception and Fantasy vs. Reality
Hopelessness brings Violence and Hate
Violence and Conflict's Effect on Children
Conservative Society vs. Socialism
Personal Failure and Living Vicariously
Dealing with Anger
Compromise of Goals and Future
Art is an Expression for All, Especially the Downtrodden
Life's Gritty Reality
People's Enemy is the Government
Acceptance, Everyone is Special
Traditional Father's Role Needs to Change
It Takes a Village...to raise a child
Jealousy becomes Support
Billy and his Dad's relationship before the argument about dance lessons
It gets better- Billy's vision of a brighter future
Dramatic Irony (not a theme, but often missed)
Ordinary is Extraordinary(function of the chairs)
Talented People make others successful(Mrs.W. is talented herself)
Every little fishy must swim for himself(Billy takes charge of his life)
Optimism of Youth vs. Pessimism of Adults

Whether anyone agrees with this whole list or not, it shows that BETM is a complex show, brilliantly written. Anyone who wishes to add another discovery that they missed on their first viewing of the play, please do so. There is more; that is why each additional viewing is a new experience.

[madashell]

Another theme: Be willing to change your opinions and value-judgments.

This may seem obvious, but it occurs so often that it is not always picked up.

Billy changes his opinion of dance and Mrs. Wilkinson.
Mts. Wilkinson changes her opinion of Billy and teaching.
Grandma changes opinion of marriage.
The scab changes.
Jackie changes.
Tony changes.
The ballet girls change.
The town changes.
The ballet judges change.

Only Michael refuses to change.

[accessmenj]

Maybe Michael does change. His opinion of ballet is "fooking weird". Yet, in the end, he accepts Billy going off to The Royal Ballet.

[Wowzell]

Maybe Michael does change. His opinion of ballet is "fooking weird". Yet, in the end, he accepts Billy going off to The Royal Ballet.

But does Michael ever really think the ballet is ''fooking weird'', or does he just do that to 'fit in'? After all, that's the only way he's ever seen any of his supposed role models act towards the notion of a male ballerina. I've never Michael's words as a genuine portrayal of how he feels towards ballet. After all, the amount that his views towards ballet change throughout the show - from thinking it's ''fooking weird'' to wanting to wear the tutu and being very accepting of Billy - is a ridiculously big change for him ever to have genuinely thought it was weird.

[accessmenj]

Maybe Michael does change. His opinion of ballet is "fooking weird". Yet, in the end, he accepts Billy going off to The Royal Ballet.

But does Michael ever really think the ballet is ''fooking weird'', or does he just do that to 'fit in'? After all, that's the only way he's ever seen any of his supposed role models act towards the notion of a male ballerina. I've never Michael's words as a genuine portrayal of how he feels towards ballet. After all, the amount that his views towards ballet change throughout the show - from thinking it's ''fooking weird'' to wanting to wear the tutu and being very accepting of Billy - is a ridiculously big change for him ever to have genuinely thought it was weird.

Good point, Wowzell. Michael used words against ballet, but his actions were pro-ballet. So his opinion never did change.

[accessmenj]

The tour hiatus has caused the amount of forum posts to drop; this will be a good time to address more themes that are often not noticed at first viewing. I have added the latest theme to our list. Anyone is welcome to contribute their own observations.

Adding to the list of things that are often missed at the first viewing of Billy Elliot The Musical

Achieving a Dream
Miner's Future Destroyed by own Government
Rejection by others of Grandma, Billy, Michael
Grief Expressed as Denial, Anger, Depression, Acceptance
Hunger, both Physical and Emotional
Parent's Wishes vs. Child's,- Debby's mom and Billy 's dad
Life Imitates Art, Actor's Roles and Children's Life Stories
Greek Tragedy, Doomed Fate
Altruism, Helping Someone Else Achieve their Dream
Denial of Reality
Self Perception and Fantasy vs. Reality
Hopelessness brings Violence and Hate
Violence and Conflict's Effect on Children
Conservative Society vs. Socialism
Personal Failure and Living Vicariously
Dealing with Anger
Compromise of Goals and Future
Art is an Expression for All, Especially the Downtrodden
Life's Gritty Reality
People's Enemy is the Government
Acceptance, Everyone is Special
Traditional Father's Role Needs to Change
It Takes a Village...to raise a child
Jealousy becomes Support
Billy and his Dad's relationship before the argument about dance lessons
It gets better- Billy's vision of a brighter future
Dramatic Irony (not a theme, but often missed)
Ordinary is Extraordinary(function of the chairs)
Talented People make others successful(Mrs.W. is talented herself)
Every little fishy must swim for himself(Billy takes charge of his life)
Optimism of Youth vs. Pessimism of Adults
Willingness to change opinions and value judgments