Billy Elliot | Victoria Palace | Review

This is not intended to be a review. People have their own opinions and who am I to tell you what you do or don’t like. This post is here to inspire you to go and see if it sounds as though this production is your cup of tea, based on my findings and the media available to me. I invite people to supply me with more media / info / twitter or Facebook links by emailing me at sammi@sammioneill.co.uk and please also contact me if you see any errors.  I cannot promise they’ll be uploaded straightaway but I’ll do my best.

Billy Elliot
Is playing at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London (nearest tube Victoria)
Performances are at 7.30 each evening except Sunday
and at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturdays

Website
http://billyelliotthemusical.com/
A comprehensive website so that’s pretty well all you need to know 🙂

      www.facebook.com/BillyElliottheMusical

Follow @BillyElliotUK

 

Background and Synopsis. (the official blurb)

One of the most celebrated, award-winning musicals on stage today, Billy Elliot has been dazzling London’s West End since 2005, and has gone on to captivate audiences around the world.

Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/’85 miner’s strike, Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against the odds to make his dream come true. Follow Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.

With unforgettable music by Elton John, sensational dance and a powerful storyline, this astonishing theatrical experience will stay with you forever.

Now seen by over 9.5 million people worldwide, there’s never been a better time to see Billy Elliot the Musical.

Video

You can find more videos on their website: http://billyelliotthemusical.com/sights-sounds/

or on You Tube: Billy Elliot You Tube Channel

Cast (April 2014)

My Musings, (for what they’re worth):

I first saw Billy Elliot in 2006 from high in the Gods and was overwhelmed by the story, dancing and the impressive way that the film had been adapted to the stage. We all know the film, we all love the film but oh the stage show…..Wow! It ticked all my boxes.

I waiting until my daughter was 14 before I took her, she has always loved dancing and the recommended guidance is 8 yrs, however I waited until now because I wanted her to appreciate the social and political messages as well as letting the strong language ride over her. She was, as expected, mesmerised and inspired by the performances. And she’s right, they have stood the test of time. Billy is as fresh now as it was in 2006.

A couple of the actors where struggling with the Northern accent and sitting right at the side of the auditorium the sound was a little off, however watching my daughter’s face told me all I needed to know. It is still a hit.

Funny, emotional, inspiring and a strong message to ‘be yourself’.
I challenge anyone not to shed a tear when Billy’s ‘Mum’ sings her piece.

Dammit having waited 8 years to see it again I am going to have to go a third time now…. The Marvellous Ruthie Henshall will be playing Mrs Wilkinson very soon.

Note to self : We saw understudy Dad (Steve Paget) and the Billy we saw was Mitchell Tobin. Here he is performing the dream ballet scene:

Don’t take my word for it here is what other people said:

Bearing in mind that these reviews are pretty old now.

***** (5)
The Telegraph – Charles Spencer (2009)
Time Out
**** (4)
The Guardian – Michael Billington (2005)

Obviously having a well established website there are many very positive reviews to be found there.

To find our what people are saying on twitter:
Tweets about “#billyelliot”

Gallery

Billy Elliot

Billy Elliot

Billy Elliot

Billy Elliot

Billy Elliot

Billy Elliot

Billy Elliot

Billy Elliot

Billy Elliot

Tickets
Full Price  range from £20.50 – £86.00 (April 2014)
Family tickets / Group bookings / School Outings and Day seats (£15) are available.
Some Deals are currently available – See my blog Theatre Tickets

So… I hope readers find this useful and informative. I hope to add to this post as reviews etc come out. So I invite comments, what else would be useful? what would be helpful to know. If you have seen it feel free to add your own comment at the bottom to help other readers.

Plese feel free to follow my blog or follow me on Twitter @sammi_blogs for more theatre musings