November 2015 Reviews - London

Reviews of the show
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jtsw1
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Re: November 2015 Reviews - London

Post by jtsw1 »

Bridget40 wrote: Do some fans really find Nat's performance to be 'bleak and joyless?' In the three times I have seen him, the people that I was with, and the audience around me, were blown away by him!
Well, I've read some statements like that on the "General Fan Page" on Facebook. Some people there focus on the amount of smiles and "adding little things" rather than on the overall artistic expression an actor delivers. (BTW, Nat adds a lot of "little things" as well to make his Billy unique, but they seem to not notice them.)
I think that he takes the role to an interesting place, and he should be encouraged to take it further, and make Billy an even more complex, and interesting character. I find his performance as a conflicted boy to be very effective, and also very moving.
Yes, exactly!
However, I do think it's a performance, and I'm not sure it's wise to speculate, or make assumptions as to whether Nat is projecting his own past troubles, or his own personality into the role.
You got a point there, but I'm sure I didn't invade Nat's privacy by stating my personal emotions about his performance based on what I experienced at the theatre and what was made public about him and his brother. After all, it's one of the show's "key features" that every Billy is unique because of adding elements (!) of their own personality to the role (resp. delivering a personal take on the role). I've read that numerous times in reviews and opinions about the show, and I do think it's true. Actually, I think it's true for each and every (good) actor out there.
- A. -

- What do I do??
- Follow the others... marching forward to socialism!
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Billy Whiz
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Re: November 2015 Reviews - London

Post by Billy Whiz »

I have not seen Nat yet, or Euan for that matter. I cannot, therefore, comment on Nat's performance but I can say that one of the reasons for multiple trips to BETM is because of the different interpretations the boys give to the role. If they all played it the same then it would not have the same draw to me
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Re: November 2015 Reviews - London

Post by Barry Appleby »

THURSDAY 26th NOVEMBER (Matinee)

It's been a while since I was last down to the VP after recovering from an op, so I was really looking forward to this visit, Thomas & Brodie had been on earlier this week anyway, so it might be Nat or Euan, anyway Nat did Wednesday, oh! by the way I love, what I call, his honest style of portrayal of Billy, very much like Jamie Bell in the film, it's also nice to see that the four Billy's at the moment have all got contrasting performance's for the part of Billy. It was new boy Euan, well to say it was only his 4th performance as Billy, you would have never have guessed, Dancingboy in his review said he had some different movements in Electricity, and so he did, finished off, in great style with the wall flip.
The letter scene, got one or two of the audience with the hankies out, that Euan smile went, to show a very upset little boy. His performance in Angry Dance was outstanding so much effort, also showed so much enjoyment with Nathan in Expressing Yourself, the 42nd Billy is another great addition the the Billy legends.
Nathan was outstanding again as Michael, from the Boxing scene onwards, I'm surprised David Bardsley, playing George, that his voice didn't change and go up a notch after a big wallop in the left, right antics. Nathan himself got a great ovation from the audience, when in the pre Dream Ballet scene, he did his pirouettes, then the splits, in front of Billy, so well timed. Must say also in the farewell scene sitting on the bike, his face showed such distrort, as his mate was leaving, it brought tears to your eyes, Great performance Nathan.
Beatrice in the toilet scene, I think she should audition for Spider girl the way she climbed up that toilet wall, she so seems to be enjoying herself.
David Bardsley in the front of the tabs just before Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher has changed his routine slightly, it really went down well with the audience, lucky for him, their was some Newcastle folks in.
I was the first time I've seen Matthew Seadon-Young as Tony, he seems to be settle into his part very well, I like the way he spoke to Billy when explaining about everyone loosing their jobs, so right!!
A Big thanks to the rest of the cast, including those wonderful ballet girls, for a great afternoons entertainment, your efforts were so much enjoyed by all.

P.S “food for thought” You in the States might think you have trouble with your Presidential nominees, just think what might happen here. We have a Labour party with the deputy leader called Tom Watson and the leader is called Jeremy Corbyn, we could end up with a government run by “TOM & JERRY”
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patc
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Re: November 2015 Reviews - London

Post by patc »

Thursday 26th November – all day

Thanks for your review Barry and great to see you back at the VPT :D .

On a day when you see a new Billy for the first time it is inevitable he gets most of the writing space. It was, indeed, a great thrill to see the newest Billy, Euan Garrett’s, name on the Board at the matinee. Thankfully, we haven’t had to wait long to see him in action on a Thursday and, man, what a performance we saw. To begin with, Euan has such a captivating, clear stage voice. I can only imagine how mystically lyrical it would be to hear him speaking in his native accent with such words as:

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;
A-chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands wherever I go..


Of course, in Billy it’s more “fxxxxd if I know” than Robbie Burns but we certainly didn’t miss a syllable all afternoon.

Euan’s singing voice really came to the fore with such plaintiveness in a wonderfully controlled Letter scene in which he included the emotional touch that brought a lump to my throat. His interaction with Dead Mum (Claudia) was really heartbreaking especially when you’re sitting barely a couple of yards away.

As a dancer he is beautifully balanced. We saw first evidence of this in Solidarity and, then, in Angry Dance, we saw the power. Bloody ‘eck (as Robbie Burns wouldn’t say), this was mega and he stormed off the stage with the cheers ringing in his ears.

I mustn’t overlook to mention Expressing with the irrepressible Nathan Jones. This was another Classic from the Northumberland Supremo. Being also a Scottish Nationals Open Kick Boxing champion it wasn’t surprising that Euan obeyed his every command as they and the delightful, dainty Dresses painted magical rainbows on stage on a dank, miserable London afternoon. Having said that, it would have been interesting had Euan, being a karate student himself, taken umbrage at any point. Nathan was at it again in his entirely unique Tutu sequence that just bristles with creativity and class.

As with all new Billys, the anticipation of seeing Euan’s Electricity made hearts begin to beat that little bit quicker as the time approached. They were soon racing as he somersaulted backwards and the bag flew through the air. Every beat of the music enveloped the ear. Every move, swirl, twirl, leap and step was perfectly timed with each note. Dancing boy and music in magical, synchronised harmony that built up to a flurry of mind-bending spins followed by the run and flip off the wall. Utterly, utterly indescribably and absorbingly magnificent.

Overall, this was a stunning display of Billyship by Euan in only his fourth show and I can’t wait to see him in action again. He proves for the 42nd time in London that there is no escape. If you’re out there, they will find you. We are the lucky beneficiaries.

As if all that was not enough for one day it was current longest serving Billy, Brodie, who was charged with the task of following that at the evening performance. Time is flying by. It is almost impossible to believe that Brodie is already a year plus in the show. Like all his predecessors there has been no let up over time. Quite the opposite, in fact. With impeccable pacing he took us though Billy’s turbulent journey with all of the exquisite skills he possesses and has thrilled us with over this past year. In no time at all it was his turn to bless us with his original groundbreaking Electricity-plus-Flip that left the audience gasping in disbelief. With Tomi back in the same cracking form he left in you can guess how their scenes together went.

I was most impressed with new Tony, Matthew Seadon-Young. He has most certainly arrived.
Billy Whiz wrote: I can say that one of the reasons for multiple trips to BETM is because of the different interpretations the boys give to the role. If they all played it the same then it would not have the same draw to me
I can assure you that nothing has changed. Euan’s Billy has been tailor-made just for him and, together with Brodie, Thomas and Nat we are as fortunate as ever with four different Billy interpretations all of which are the highest quality. Each and every one to look forward to. I have just had a rare occurrence - seeing all four Billys in four successive shows over last week and this. Every show a winner. After all these years I have yet to walk out of the VPT without being on Cloud 9. The future skies are overflowing with them.

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FM-Switzerland
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Re: November 2015 Reviews - London

Post by FM-Switzerland »

Bridget40 wrote:Thanks for that review JTSW1, I found it to be very interesting........

I agree with you with regard to Nat, and his take on Billy. He does play a somewhat downcast, unhappy, lonely and troubled Billy Elliot. This gloom only seems to lift when he dances, and when he does, he exudes joy! Also, to my untrained eye, Nat is an exceptional dancer.

Do some fans really find Nat's performance to be 'bleak and joyless?' In the three times I have seen him, the people that I was with, and the audience around me, were blown away by him! I think that he takes the role to an interesting place, and he should be encouraged to take it further, and make Billy an even more complex, and interesting character. I find his performance as a conflicted boy to be very effective, and also very moving. However, I do think it's a performance, and I'm not sure it's wise to speculate, or make assumptions as to whether Nat is projecting his own past troubles, or his own personality into the role. Also, I find that Nat snaps out of his Billy persona in the finale where he just seems to be having fun.

I have not yet seen Matthew Seadon-Young as Tony, but I have seen Robbie Durham perform the role a few times, and I must say....... I can't understand why he was not given the role full time!

- Absolutely agree about Robbie Durham, seen him more than 10 times as Tony, he is great!
- And yes, many fans/regulars I know are thinking Nat's portrayal of Billy is 'bleak and joyless'.
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ERinVA
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Re: November 2015 Reviews - London

Post by ERinVA »

I have received a complaint that this conversation has been seen by at least one member as a personal insult to Nat and his interpretation of the role of Billy. While it did not strike me in that way, I can see how it could be construed as a negative criticism of the child himself. There is always the danger that someone will not be able to differentiate between feelings about the interpretation and feelings about the interpreter.

Please remember that our forum rules state the following:
Any comments posted relating to younger cast members should be positive in nature. Any overt criticism should be left to their teachers, directors, mentors and parents. Encouragement is always welcome.
As we know, each Billy has his own take on the role, and there are, and always will be, people who like one Billy's interpretation better than another's. People are entitled to their opinions about the interpretations. However, please remember that all of them are valid ways of looking at Billy's life. If a Billy was not performing the role in a way that the director considered true to the story, I am sure that it would be corrected.

Let's move on, with the understanding that the purpose of this forum is to support the show and the children in it in a positive way.
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angelenroute
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Re: November 2015 Reviews - London

Post by angelenroute »

Barry Appleby wrote: P.S “food for thought” You in the States might think you have trouble with your Presidential nominees, just think what might happen here. We have a Labour party with the deputy leader called Tom Watson and the leader is called Jeremy Corbyn, we could end up with a government run by “TOM & JERRY”
:lol: Very good, but trust me, in a worst-case scenario situation, Tom & Jerry would completely trump any awful alternatives! At least they would keep me smiling.

"Good writers define reality; bad ones merely restate it." -Edward Albee
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CJ-Rochester
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Re: November 2015 Reviews - London

Post by CJ-Rochester »

angelenroute wrote:
Barry Appleby wrote: P.S “food for thought” You in the States might think you have trouble with your Presidential nominees, just think what might happen here. We have a Labour party with the deputy leader called Tom Watson and the leader is called Jeremy Corbyn, we could end up with a government run by “TOM & JERRY”
:lol: Very good, but trust me, in a worst-case scenario situation, Tom & Jerry would completely trump any awful alternatives! At least they would keep me smiling.
Similar to the Tom & Jerry story... Here in New York State our past governors have included Hugh Carey and Thomas E. Dewey. In the 1980s Lew Lehrman ran for the office, but was not elected. Our state came very close to having Huey, Dewey and Louie all as governors. :P
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Bridget40
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Re: November 2015 Reviews - London

Post by Bridget40 »

FM-Switzerland wrote: - Absolutely agree about Robbie Durham, seen him more than 10 times as Tony, he is great!
- And yes, many fans/regulars I know are thinking Nat's portrayal of Billy is 'bleak and joyless'.
Robbie Durham is fantastic, and for me, it helps that he looks young enough to be a more believable older brother for Billy.

Also, with regard to Nat.......Perhaps these fans/regulars that you speak of like their Billy shows to be packed with the 'feel good' factor. I prefer something a bit more earthy, realistic, gritty and thought provoking. Less cheesy grins, and more drama please director. I think that Nat Sweeney is exceptionally good in the role.

Each to their own though.........
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Re: November 2015 Reviews - London

Post by jmh2014 »

Saturday November 28th

The matinee got off to a different start as Billy walked on stage without his Dad, who finally appeared just as George shouted “We’re out”.

Matthew is settling in to his role as Tony and play scenes differently, most noticeable in the Kitchen scene, “He could be a Star” and the RBS letter scene. He is, perhaps, a little softer in his portrayal than Chris was, but the anger is there when required.

Bradley is experimenting as Michael. I think the boxing scene has been different each time I’ve seen him. He mocks George more than anyone else and has many ways to play the sparing scene. I’m amazed that Billy can keep a straight face given the way Bradley grins at them whilst “warming his hands.”

First time I’ve seen Ruthie in about 6 weeks and she now gets so much more emotion in her goodbye to Billy, struggling to get her lines out. Her interaction with Thomas (Billy) during the matinee was very special. I’ve not seen her have such a connection with any other Billy.

Moving on to Thomas and, skipping aside, which was a complete disaster, he was magnificent. It would be interesting to know if some of the small changes he makes are worked out before hand, or whether it’s his instinct on stage. Couple of examples: During the Winer scene after throwing the tutu he stays by the pillar watching Michael struggle with it. Only when Michael is ready for his “bit o’ ballet” does he sit down. In the front of curtain scene after his small dance practice, he leans back on the safety curtain and looks at Posh Boy. They are only very small changes, but they add so much to the role.
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