Billy Elliot: The Musical Live

Unless you're a fan of stage musicals, this is a big bust. The original movie was masterful, with the music selection and the direction and the cinematography. I so disliked every single thing about this stage production (with a couple exceptions). Not every single minor character needs a solo to pad it out to three hours, ffs. Mr. Braithwaite, for example. Really? Elliot Hanna was brilliant as Billy, and there were a couple set pieces that featured him that are tear-inducing. The rest of it... meh.

What an incredible ten year run coming to a close April 9th, 2016. From a man who never wrote songs combined with a man who embraces the production of fine art through any medium as collection of ideas and abilities. This movie is an epic example of how a decade of work can shine. Elliott, and every Billy, brought with them very little skill for this monstrosity of a role. What were you doing at 12? The stage, music, lighting, and fiery audience gives you a feel as if your a drone buzzing about the airspace of the Victoria Palace Theatre. There is not a character you wont be able to connect with. A tasteful buffet of all dance styles. Grab a box of Kleenex. Have watched it more than ten times now. Includes bonus performance. If you can't get to London get it to your TV.

For some reason, I find that this musical version (based on the Oscar nominated 2000 movie) packs a far greater emotional punch. Perhaps it's because it's live or that they're able to expand a little bit more on the story but I found every scene involving Billy and his late mother just ripped my heart apart. Ruthie Henshall is a national treasure and was fantastic playing Mrs. Wilkinson as was Deka Walmsley who played the father. Credit must go to Elliott Hanna who was an incredible Billy who was (at the time) the youngest to assume the titular role. The stamina required to be a stage performer still blows me away and seeing all these actors literally caked in sweat while performing immensely difficult dance routines while singing persistently for 3 hours makes me appreciate just how incredible these performers are.

I'm sad I was never able to watch this in the theatre before it came to an end but I'm thankful they released an edition on DVD. The acting, cinematography, the script, the clever lighting and tricks, the costumes, the music all make this one of the best musical stage productions ever to be made.

Oh and the Tom Holland cameo at the end where all the past and present Billys performed a specially choreographed routine was brilliant. People often forget that this was where he started his career and I'm thrilled he took the time to return to the role for this special occasion.

Superb performance,love the 'Live' format. Twenty six dancing Billy Elliots In the Chorus line. We saw the show at Victoria Palace. The live format at ICON in Minneapolis where a smallish appreciative audience applauded right along with the audience in London's West End. Every cast member was in top form and the camera close-ups and aerial shots gave us unprecedented access. The dialog was a challenge to the Mid-West ear but the energy of delivery of the lines conveys the meaning the trauma of the CMU strike. ' Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher' is a routine that stays in one's memory long after the final curtain. For me this was the finest night in the Cinema for a very long time.

Billy Elliot the Musical Live is so fun and also covers important topics and issues in its area. I think it was great having the film set in 1984 with the mining strike. It was also very clever using the ballet as it wasn't normal for boys. Also the LGBT stuff in Michael's character. These are just some things that bought very real problems to the story line.

It was written well and that wasn't the only good thing about this show. I loved the stage set up and the actors in this musical were great. The talent that we see in some of the actors are phenomenal! The tap & ballet was choreographed so well. Good job to all the cast!