Re: November 2014 Reviews - London
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 5:33 pm
Thursday 20th November - all day
Well, it’s nice to finally get home and read some great reviews of Thursday matinee. Thanks to one and all. Yes, it was a fabulous afternoon’s entertainment with the indestructible Ollie at the head of affairs backed up by the mercurial Zach with now more than a year and a half of royally entertaining us under his belt.
The other reviewers have covered it but I would just like to add my thoughts on the Letter which was a truly heartbreaking emotional piece of work by the trio of Ollie, Ruthie and Claudia all brought together by the music and sending the watchers scrambling for their tissues.
Matteo was onboard for the evening show and this Letter was even more emotional but only for exceptional reasons. Only fans of the show might have guessed what was going on. I saw most of what followed through already misty eyes. As it came to a conclusion Ruthie walked across, knelt down and put her arms around Matteo and appeared to be gently asking him was he OK to continue. She remained in that position for a while until she was absolutely satisfied that he was able to go on. The care that these Billy boys get is so reassuring. Deka is more or less the “father” of the show, Ruthie looks after them on stage as if they were her own, Barnaby is their “big brother” in Dream Ballet ensuring that their flying is conducted in complete safety and, of course, in the wings, the dedicated chaperones are always on hand. The Billy Elliot family in action.
Matteo continued on and put his heart and soul into an astonishingly powerful Angry Dance and then walked off with that defiant “look” at the audience. Unfortunately, all was not entirely well and he was taken off at the interval as a precaution and we missed out on seeing his stunning Electricity.
It was announced that Ollie would take over and he walked out looking as fresh as the proverbial daisy. Over the next hour or so he didn’t look at all like a boy who had already put in three hours of pulsating, physical and thrilling theatre earlier in the day. What incredible stamina and dedication to the cause they have and Ollie rose magnificently to the occasion.
If it had been possible, it would have been the icing on the cake to have seen Matteo run on at the end and stand shoulder to shoulder with Ollie and receive acclaim for his memorable first half.
I hope Matteo is not too upset about having to go off. As a mere audience member I know what it’s like to be in such bad shape to have to leave during the show - especially when you’re in the front row and making the long walk and people are probably wondering why you are leaving and also right under the noses of the cast on stage. For a lead cast member it must be a much worse feeling not being able to continue. Anyway, I do hope that he will recover quickly and, as Scarlett O’Hara said, “tomorrow is another day” and I look forward to being mesmerised by Matteo’s Billy on another occasion soon.
Pat
Well, it’s nice to finally get home and read some great reviews of Thursday matinee. Thanks to one and all. Yes, it was a fabulous afternoon’s entertainment with the indestructible Ollie at the head of affairs backed up by the mercurial Zach with now more than a year and a half of royally entertaining us under his belt.
The other reviewers have covered it but I would just like to add my thoughts on the Letter which was a truly heartbreaking emotional piece of work by the trio of Ollie, Ruthie and Claudia all brought together by the music and sending the watchers scrambling for their tissues.
Matteo was onboard for the evening show and this Letter was even more emotional but only for exceptional reasons. Only fans of the show might have guessed what was going on. I saw most of what followed through already misty eyes. As it came to a conclusion Ruthie walked across, knelt down and put her arms around Matteo and appeared to be gently asking him was he OK to continue. She remained in that position for a while until she was absolutely satisfied that he was able to go on. The care that these Billy boys get is so reassuring. Deka is more or less the “father” of the show, Ruthie looks after them on stage as if they were her own, Barnaby is their “big brother” in Dream Ballet ensuring that their flying is conducted in complete safety and, of course, in the wings, the dedicated chaperones are always on hand. The Billy Elliot family in action.
Matteo continued on and put his heart and soul into an astonishingly powerful Angry Dance and then walked off with that defiant “look” at the audience. Unfortunately, all was not entirely well and he was taken off at the interval as a precaution and we missed out on seeing his stunning Electricity.
It was announced that Ollie would take over and he walked out looking as fresh as the proverbial daisy. Over the next hour or so he didn’t look at all like a boy who had already put in three hours of pulsating, physical and thrilling theatre earlier in the day. What incredible stamina and dedication to the cause they have and Ollie rose magnificently to the occasion.
If it had been possible, it would have been the icing on the cake to have seen Matteo run on at the end and stand shoulder to shoulder with Ollie and receive acclaim for his memorable first half.
I hope Matteo is not too upset about having to go off. As a mere audience member I know what it’s like to be in such bad shape to have to leave during the show - especially when you’re in the front row and making the long walk and people are probably wondering why you are leaving and also right under the noses of the cast on stage. For a lead cast member it must be a much worse feeling not being able to continue. Anyway, I do hope that he will recover quickly and, as Scarlett O’Hara said, “tomorrow is another day” and I look forward to being mesmerised by Matteo’s Billy on another occasion soon.
Pat