Thursday 24th October - all day
Matinee: Ali/Joe/Demi
Evening: Elliott/Zach A/Millie
Dad: David B
Mrs W: Helen
Grandma: Gillian
Dead Mum: Claudia
Those of us who have dabbled in athletics will know the thrill and excitement of running that 100 yards in a second (or two) less time than before or exceeding previous High Jumps by an inch (or two). Of course, it takes time to get past each milestone and every step along the way requires the utmost determination and commitment.
The Billy’s stage life is no different and in the history of Billys there have been no flops (Fosbury or otherwise). They have to be exceptionally talented to be chosen to even set foot on that stage in the first place and then begins their progress up the ladder of performance. For us fans, watching this progression is a major part of the ultimate enjoyment of the show. Along the way there comes a point where you can say, yeah, he turned it up a notch today, we can recognise the moment. Usually, this happens with one Billy at a time but, at yesterday’s shows, the lucky ones among us who saw both saw two Billys move up to their next level on the same day. Both Ali and Elliott stepped up to the plate with two absolutely stunning performances that each rank in my book as their greatest to date. Both shows were played to massive audiences who showed their appreciation in no uncertain matter during and after the shows. You only had to look at the expressions of disbelief on the faces of Ali and Elliot as they held their poses after
Electricity not to mention the standing ovations at the end and the buzz on the way out. Yes, lads, you WERE that good.
The amazing thing is that you probably couldn’t get two more different Billys. The script, songs and dances may be the same for both boys but the manner in which they have determined how to deliver them varies greatly and this is another factor that makes BETM so fascinating to see over and over.
Ali’s breathtaking, all-action, lumbago-inducing street version of
Electricity and Elliott’s glorious and graceful, smooth ballet version are poles apart but the end result is the same for the watcher.
The response to Debbie’s offer in Ali’s case was a combined and long-held open-mouthed eyesfest while Elliott’s smirking reply left nobody in doubt as to what he thought of it. Great fun.
Even the “no, she was just me Mam” reply to Mrs. W after
The Letter was spoken in two completely different ways.
Unlike the High Jump there are no limits to the heights that these two can rise to and the great thing is that time is on their side.
With only a couple of weeks to go, Joe Massey served notice that he will be going out on a high. It will be such a sad night when the light goes out on November 9th and this thought combined with Joe’s subtle expression at the fall of curtain brought more than one tear to the eye of this reviewer at 5.30pm yesterday.
Thankfully, Zach A will still be with us and looking to take on Joe’s crown. He will not be beaten on style and panache (and smiles) in Expressing and his tutu routine is hilarious. I’ve just watched him (and Redmand) perform a brilliant short version
Expressing on the Titchmarsh show on ITV. Watch the bookings take off after that.
It was great to be sat among two audiences that understood theatre and knew when it was appropriate to applaud and when to sit in silence. Both Joe and Zach’s exit after the
Winter scene was accompanied by such respect that even Jimmy Dyson’s new quiet hairdryer would have sounded like thunder.
Demi and Millie were brilliant. They might not quite have the starring roles as the Billys and Michaels but they are making the roles their own in their particular styles and have not stood still in their development. I didn’t think it was possible but Millie has managed to turn up her cheeky factor another notch or two and, my dear audience, you WILL wait while she decides how long she will take to show it.
The Ballet Girls were phenomenal.
David Bardsley is having a fantastic run as Dad these days. He has not changed his interpretation of the role very much over all the years and I hope he never does.
Claudia’s Dead Mum is very tender and she has such a beautiful singing voice.
Helen French delivered two truly brilliant performances that combined all Mrs W’s qualities into one delightful package.
I can remember when Gillian Elisa seemed to come from nowhere to play Grandma. She has been an ever-present since and is a huge part of the enjoyment of the show. When you have finished reading this I urge you to go to the link below and see just who Gillian is and what she has been up to. The good news is that she will be Grandma until at least May 2014.
http://www.gillianelisa.co.uk/page1.html#target
On a comical note. As David sang the opening lines of
Deep into the Ground one of the balloons burst with a very loud bang right behind the ears of the seated ladies on the right hand side. Obviously, it gave them quite a fright much to the amusement of certain of the men who shall remain nameless.
To Ali/Elliott/Joe/Zach A/Demi/Millie and the entire cast from Small Boy to Grandma plus all the music and creative geniuses once again I say thanks for your magnificent performances yesterday that sent us all home with great joy in our uplifted hearts. There is nothing on the Planet that comes close to it.
Pat
PS Great joke, Barry. Really enjoyed it. Great to hear that Murphy and Paddy went to University. In my day they just helped to buildcities.
- I MUST!!)