Billy Elliot

January 24th, 2009

Victoria Palace, London

Musical

Liking the movie, but not knowing what to expect, we were completely blown away. It's a powerful and energetic musical carried on the back of a young triple-threat actor who seems to believe his performance with every fiber of his being.

We laughed and were moved by the performances, absorbed in the music and story.

Music by Elton John, lyrics & book by Lee Hall (the screenwriter as well)

It's not a dance musical either. It's a musical. That said, the dancing was fantasticly entertaining!

Haven't seen the Broadway cast, but seeing it in London seems hard to beat, the accents and performances being so authentic. Really enjoyed this production! And you can't help but take away a very positive message from this production. The cental theme is being who you are, as evidenced in the show-stopper "Expressing Yourself."

As the song goes:

"What the hell's wrong with expressing yourself?....
Everyone is different, It's the natural state
It's the facts, it's plain to see
The world's grey enough without making it worse,
What we need is in-div-id-ual-ity."