Re: Introducing Family and Friends to Billy Elliot The Musical
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 2:10 am
The following review gives us a clue as to why some first-time viewers do not understand or like parts of Billy Elliot The Musical.
." The production has been awarded 73 national and international awards including ten Tony Awards, Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle. The cast of this national tour is across-the-boards superb. The story is completely compelling, the music by Elton John is fabulously matched to the setting and to the familiar characters of the popular 2000 film. The musical is way-longer than the movie. The pacing and reaction time needs tightening and the thick accents coupled with the Orpheum’s acoustics are often troublesome."
This reviewer really liked the show, but said the acoustics combined with the thick accents were his problem. Someone with poor hearing, unfamiliar with the accent, and viewing the show at a theatre with known acoustic problems would not be able to follow the show. They would need a pre-show briefing and, as much as the film seems to cause some people to dislike the musical's ending, perhaps viewing it is necessary. This would be especially important for non-British older viewers at the Orpheum in SF. If a copy of the screenplay was available to be read beforehand, that could help.
." The production has been awarded 73 national and international awards including ten Tony Awards, Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle. The cast of this national tour is across-the-boards superb. The story is completely compelling, the music by Elton John is fabulously matched to the setting and to the familiar characters of the popular 2000 film. The musical is way-longer than the movie. The pacing and reaction time needs tightening and the thick accents coupled with the Orpheum’s acoustics are often troublesome."
This reviewer really liked the show, but said the acoustics combined with the thick accents were his problem. Someone with poor hearing, unfamiliar with the accent, and viewing the show at a theatre with known acoustic problems would not be able to follow the show. They would need a pre-show briefing and, as much as the film seems to cause some people to dislike the musical's ending, perhaps viewing it is necessary. This would be especially important for non-British older viewers at the Orpheum in SF. If a copy of the screenplay was available to be read beforehand, that could help.