Billy Elliot The Musical at Victoria Palace Theatre
Billy Elliot is 10 – already! Happy Birthday Billy! We first saw this show a number of years ago, and were blown away then. In my opinion, it remains one of the best shows in the West End, so it was a pleasure to come back and celebrate this significant birthday; approximately ten million people have seen this show worldwide, so I imagine many must agree with me.
Based on the smash hit film (released unbelievably over 15 years ago), Billy Elliot the Musical is an inspirational story of one boy’s dream to realise his ambitions against the odds. Set in the North East of England against the background of the historic 1984/85 miners’ strike when Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister at the time, was closing the coalmines, Billy pursues his passion for dance in secret to avoid the disapproval of his struggling family. The creative team behind the film, writer Lee Hall, director Stephen Daldry and choreographer Peter Darling were joined by Sir Elton John to create this musical.
The 13 year old (Bradley Perret on the night we attended) who played Billy Elliot was astonishing, and brought the crowd to their feet by the end of the show – something you don’t often see from audiences in the West End these days! The show has an excellent pace, and won me over after the very first musical number. Sir Elton has composed a memorable score, complemented by spectacular choreography. The clever arrangement combines well with the theme, which, due to the strength of feeling in Britain at the time, must have been hard to tackle in a musical. Yet, Billy Elliot the Musical manages to be both sympathetic and honest in its delivery. There are some extremely moving scenes and songs, whilst other numbers are uplifting, colourful and fun. The early 1980’s are perfectly captured in the set designs and costumes.
The adult cast is led by the formidable Ruthie Henshall as Billy’s dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson. Deka Walmsley as Billy’s Dad, Chris Grahamson as Tony, and Gillian Elisa as Grandma, are all excellent, and utterly convincing in their roles. With such a strong cast, there is, in my opinion more depth to the characters than I felt in the movie. The child performers were particularly outstanding. Billy’s best friend Michael (played by Tomi Fry) is a superb character, and again another very talented young actor.
Emotions run high, as we follow Billy on his journey and watch how his relationships evolve and develop with his family and friends, ultimately leading to the opportunity which changes his life forever – at a time, and in a place when there was a sense of despair and a lack of prospects pervading the mining communities.
Overall, the show is both passionate and touching. Most of the audience around me were crying into their tissues at certain moments during the show, and on their feet at others. Despite the theme and the personal problems Billy himself faces along the way, it still manages to amuse – especially the scenes between Billy and the other children. Whilst you feel sympathy for Billy and his struggles, the audience gets swept into his wave of determination and ultimate success.
Billy Elliot the Musical thoroughly deserves all the awards and accolades it has achieved over the past 10 years, and with such a brilliant combination of talent, storyline and choreography, its longevity seems assured for many more years to come. I will certainly be back, and continue to recommend it a must-see West End show!
Box Office: 0844 248 5000 Website: london.billyelliotthemusical.com/tickets/
Image: Ollie Jochim (Billy Elliot) in Billy Elliot The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Photo credit Alastair Muir.
