Billy Elliot the Forum

An interesting interview with Stephen Daldry in The Times today:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/ ... 142808.ece

looks like there will be more BETM productions worldwide (Chicago, San Francisco,South Korea!)

Yes, good article. We'd heard about the new BETM productions before, but there's a lot that's new here. I was especially struck by the comment one reader of the article made:

Stephen Daldry has time for mere mortals - for which I will always be grateful.

I'll always be grateful as well.

I love Stephen Daldry- he's such an awesome director-- he's just so good at what he does, as evidence by his Oscar nominations record. And what a nice guy as well...

Now, we just need to get him to stop smoking! That stuff can kill ya!

Stephen Daldry is an extraordinary man, and I can attest to the reader's (no pun intended) comment that he "has time for mere mortals."

A couple of hours before I saw the first Broadway preview, I had just picked up my tickets and was in a rush to meet up with a friend for dinner. While walking I suddenly saw a tall man with spiky gray hair and glasses standing by himself across the street from the Imperial Theatre stage door, chewing his pizza thoughtfully in the rain. Before I got too nervous I lowered my umbrella and quickly introduced myself to Stephen Daldry. I briefly told him that I'm a longtime fan of the movie and musical and that I had tickets to the show that night. He seemed touched, asked my name, and said "Thank you, Amy, doll!" warmly through a mouthful of pizza. I waved and said that I was looking forward to seeing the show, and then lifted my umbrella and continued down the street.

I was amazed by this brilliant, busy man who was probably a nervous wreck at that moment as he was preparing for Billy Elliot to meet New York audiences for the first time. He took the time for a quick chat with a "mere mortal" like myself and I now have even deeper respect for Stephen Daldry, not only as a director, but as a kind man who likes a good slice of New York pizza

Thought I would link this here too. http://www.billyelliottheforum.me.uk/fo ... 4139#p4139

Yes, happy 48th birthday Stephen!

EddieM wrote:A very Happy Birthday to Stephen today!

I second, third, and fourth that!

Happy Birthday
x

An interesting plaudit for Stephen embedded in The Times review of 'Time and the Conways' today

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/ ... 230358.ece