Matteo Zecca - Billy

[Bridget40]

When I read Darth-revans post at about six oclock tonight I thought that it must be wrong. Then I clicked on the FB link and I could not believe that Matteo's last show was tonight!!! Why?????? Also, why such short notice? It's at times like this that I'm thankful that I work so close to The VPT!

I'm not sure why Matteo has left the show so soon, but what I am sure of is that he gave the most magical performance tonight. Truly special, and I will remember it for a long time!

Thanks Matteo, you have been a great Billy and I wish you the best for the future.

[jmh2014]

Tickets booked some time ago allowed us the privilege to see Matteo's last show. A stunning way to finish.

Good luck for the future and on tonight's evidence it will be a very bright one.

[CJ-Rochester]

I recall seeing him at the first performances, back in May. I thought he was a wonderful Billy.

Same here. His partial debut show was the only time I had the privilege to see him. I was hoping to catch him again when I return to London this May, but sadly that won't be the case. I'm sure Matteo has a bright future ahead of him.

[Darth_Revan]

Also, why such short notice? It's at times like this that I'm thankful that I work so close to The VPT!

You are so lucky!
At least they announced Elliott's last show in the morning so I had time to fly over to London to see his farewell show. But when I read about Matteo it was too late for me

[jtsw1]

Well, maybe someone (the company or the family) wanted him to have a "normal" leaving show without fans coming over extra.

Why "only" 76 shows? I think it could partly because of individual reasons and partly because of the company policy which seems to tend to younger boys with shorter runs (Thomas is only 10, too, and Matteo always seemed younger than he was to me).

Anyway, I'm sure he has a bright future ahead of him!

[thm]

...
Why "only" 76 shows? ...

At least that's 52 more shows than the Dutch Billys are allowed a year.

[Darth_Revan]

Well, maybe someone (the company or the family) wanted him to have a "normal" leaving show without fans coming over extra.

Why do you think fans would have made his final show a bad experience for him?

[onceagain]

...
Why "only" 76 shows? ...

At least that's 52 more shows than the Dutch Billys are allowed a year.

Not true, the Dutch boys are allowed 40 shows a year

Anyway, more on topic: it is sad to see Matteo go, I hope he had a wonderful show last night.

[Darth_Revan]

Why "only" 76 shows?

Even if my kid would have been selected for a great show like Billy Elliot, I would not want him to "over do" it. It's very hard work for the children.
Also I read Alex Ko's book and he wrote about getting bored of the role at the end, which is perfectly understandable spending two years performing the brilliant but same routine day after day.

[jtsw1]

Well, maybe someone (the company or the family) wanted him to have a "normal" leaving show without fans coming over extra.

Why do you think fans would have made his final show a bad experience for him?

I don't. But there must be some kind of a reason for not letting fans know in advance. I think the company wants fans of the show - not fans of particular actors.