Tuesday 21 April Kiril, Frank, Keean, Mitchell and Erin
Wednesday matinee 22 April David, Keean, Tommy, Matthew and Erin
Wednesday evening 22April Trent, Frank, Keean, Mitchell and Erin
Thursday 23 April David, Frank, Keean, Matthew and Erin
David Bologna was on holiday so sadly I didn’t see him, but at least I did get to see Tommy as Tall/Posh Boy for one show, even though I didn't catch him as Billy! Greg Jbara, Santino Fontana, Carole Shelley and Joel Hatch were Dad, Tony, Grandma and George in all four shows, Haydn Gwynne was Mrs Wilkinson in all apart from Wednesday matinee when the role was played by Leah Hocking who is normally Dead Mum, and Blake Hammond was Mr Braithwaite on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Jamie Torcellini playing the part on Thursday.
I can only say that these were four of the most amazing Billy shows I have ever seen. Most scenes were in some way different to the London production whether it was the choreography, musical arrangements, spoken word or the songs themselves. I think only four pieces hadn’t changed: Grandma’s Song, The Letter, Dream Ballet and Electricity. I thought that most of the changes worked well, and Born to Boogie and Angry Dance grew on me as the week went by.
A few scenes really stood out as far as I was concerned:
Billy’s shadow dance just before Grandma’s Song. Billy’s image is reflected on the back wall as a massive shadow and the accompanying music was full of Eastern mysticism.
He Could be a Star – Dad and Tony are fighting and Billy rushes on stage to separate them before collapsing in a heap on the floor, sobbing, curled up in a ball.
RBS audition – a backdrop of the inside of the RBS theatre is shown with Billy carrying out his audition steps in front of it, but all he can think of is that they don’t want to see him dance, no matter how hard he tries to persuade the panel (which you don’t actually see).
There is so much more I could talk about but don’t want to get too carried away! All the Billys wear red shirts at the end but with a pale blue tracksuit top which is only taken off for the finale. This is shorter than the London version but ends with that enormous lighted “Billy” sign on stage.
The stage is wider than at the VPT and Billy has an almost full size bed! The opening newsreel is also different. Finally, I just have to say how superb all the cast was especially the Billys, Kiril, David and Trent. Thank you for four wonderful shows and for your friendliness at the stage door afterwards. It was great talking to you and your parents and allowing photos and autographs
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