Re: Chat about Billy Elliot Denmark
Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 7:29 am
Saw this last night - has lots of good points but a few pretty bad ones too. (sat in the front row of the stalls)
As previously mentioned, the set is quite impressive at first with a (very clever) large rotating terraced house being the main feature however the novelty soon wears off as the rotation is rather slow and the stage hands get more stage presence than some of the cast! This also results in long musical interludes and members of the cast standing around waiting!
I'm sure people will hate me for this but I also found the Billy rather 'average'. Yes, he's a good actor, singer and dancer but his ballet was mediocre and, in fact, there is far more contemporary dance than other productions.
These niggles aside, the show was good. I particularly liked Mrs Wilkinson who had a great stage presence. Michael also came across very well. The orchestra was excellent. Of course, the whole thing is rather surreal (interested to note how familiar Danes are generally with Maggie and the Miners' strike?!)
Overall a good 'local' production but a disappointing 'national' one.
As previously mentioned, the set is quite impressive at first with a (very clever) large rotating terraced house being the main feature however the novelty soon wears off as the rotation is rather slow and the stage hands get more stage presence than some of the cast! This also results in long musical interludes and members of the cast standing around waiting!
I'm sure people will hate me for this but I also found the Billy rather 'average'. Yes, he's a good actor, singer and dancer but his ballet was mediocre and, in fact, there is far more contemporary dance than other productions.
These niggles aside, the show was good. I particularly liked Mrs Wilkinson who had a great stage presence. Michael also came across very well. The orchestra was excellent. Of course, the whole thing is rather surreal (interested to note how familiar Danes are generally with Maggie and the Miners' strike?!)
Overall a good 'local' production but a disappointing 'national' one.