10th Birthday Show

[ERinVA]

The First Anniversary show in London was a tag team show, and the final Broadway show was another one. In that scenario, all of the Billys perform the role in the same show, taking turns from scene to scene, with some very creative transitions between each scene and the next one.

[angelenroute]

I reckon it could be a tag show like the last performance in New York.

What's a tag show?

The last performance in New York featured all four current Billys each in a tag-team style portrayal of the role throughout the show, but with many, many delightfully creative and creatively delightful twists. I wrote about it here:

http://www.billyelliottheforum.me.uk/fo ... 369#p68369

[kport]

Well, it looks like we are not invited this time to find out.

I think I will celebrate the occasion at Drury Lane!

[LiamM]

Far from feeling maybe we should be organising a Guard of Honour outside the theatre on 12th May to show our grateful thanks and appreciation to all of those people who have delivered such amazing, consistent and unrivalled entertainment to us over 10 years

A sort of "picket-line", but with banners and signs of support? That would be neat.

[Darth_Revan]

maybe we should be organising a Guard of Honour outside the theatre on 12th May

That would be like turning up at a party we're not invited to.

[kport]

I removed a post that speculated. So I will replace it with what we know.

According to Wikipedia, the first performance was the 11th May 2005. Hence there is no reason not to think of Monday 11th May 2015 as the 10th anniversary.

The musical premiered in the West End at the Victoria Palace Theatre, opening in previews on 31 March 2005 and officially on 11 May 2005

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Elliot_the_Musical

If one wants to be there for the anniversary well....there is your solution. Go on May 11th. And keep fingers crossed that it will be somehow recognized. And if it is not, if you kept your 9th Anniversary button, you can change the occasion from '9th' to '10th' with a Sharpie - and celebrate it your way!

Or you can be doubly certain by going next Tuesday, March 31st, as well, which is five years from the official 5th Anniversary (marking the date of the first preview in 2005).

Five years of West End Billys performing in the 5th Birthday Show on 31 March 2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Elli ... w_2010.jpg

[ERinVA]

Anyone can post in Wikipedia. Official Opening Night was May 12. May 11 was the Press Night. Press Night is traditionally the night before Opening Night so that the papers can get out those all-important reviews.

Here is a review of that show with Liam Mower:

http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londonth ... liot05.htm

Here's another, from the Guardian, wherein Liam is referred to as "Liam Bower":

http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2005/may/12/theatre1

George Maguire performed on the official Opening Night, May 12. Also, the First Anniversary show was performed on May 12, 2006.


As a side note, on Broadway, the first preview was performed by Kiril Kulish, Press Night featured David Alvarez as Billy, and Opening Night honors went to Trent Kowalik.

[kport]

Anyone can post in Wikipedia. Official Opening Night was May 12. May 11 was Press Night.

Well, the 5th Anniversary was celebrated - publicly, on March 31st, 2010:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE43cwH5LhM

It seems the choice of date is malleable.

[ERinVA]

Yes, and that was based upon the date of the first preview.

[kport]

Thank you for posting all the links, Ellen.