Naw training can take months...that could even be underestimating All the BILLYS in the pipeline...some for years.OliverWaters wrote:Was this recently? I guess that means two will be leaving soon?MsRF wrote: As an aside, I watched Ruthie's interview with Alan Titchmarsh and she said there are currently two new Billies at various stages of their training. Gives us all something to look forward to!
Rotations and Live
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StevenKing
- Mrs Wilkinson
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Re: Rotations and Live
Re: Rotations and Live
I never had seen Zach before the "Billy Elliot Live" film, and wasn't sure who I was watching until the final credits. After his performance in the film, I was sorry to have missed seeing him when I was at the show in London this past summer, as I thought he was an excellent Michael. Besides his comic talents, I was very impressed by his singing voice. It would be fun to hear him do a solo singing performance, perhaps in one of his future roles. I was also glad they chose a Michael who appeared fairly close in age and size to Elliott.Bridget40 wrote:Zach, like Elliot, was a shoe-in for the live show I think. Again he ticks all the boxes. He is the senior Michael, and when he is on stage he commands attention. He has that charisma, that stage presence that draws your eyes to him.
Re: Rotations and Live
I was also very impressed with Zach and also didn't know who he was. He really gave it everything he had. I remember thinking that he didn't even need dialogue. His facial expressions alone tell the story. A superb Michael.
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ERinVA
- Site Admin
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- Location: Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
Re: Rotations and Live
Here's the Alan Titchmarsh interview mentioned above:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg1QaltnAB0
Ruthie is such a fantastic ambassador for the show. It is so obvious how much she loves being in it, and how much she loves working with the kids.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg1QaltnAB0
Ruthie is such a fantastic ambassador for the show. It is so obvious how much she loves being in it, and how much she loves working with the kids.
Ellen
"I don't want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.”
-George Balanchine 1904 -1983
To follow the forum's Twitter at http://twitter.com/BEForum, click on the direct link in Applies to All Forums above.
"I don't want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.”
-George Balanchine 1904 -1983
To follow the forum's Twitter at http://twitter.com/BEForum, click on the direct link in Applies to All Forums above.
Re: Rotations and Live
Two things...
a) Who was in recorded show: One of the delights, for me, of the show is that "kids" are ALLOWED to be in the Big Bad Real World. And I have little doubt that as a result of being in the show (and in part because of the selection process) they would be big enough to understand that the kids chosen were the kids thought to be most likely to do the best job. This isn't primary school. There isn't a ribbon for everyone.
Still in that vein... Of course the ones not used will have been disappointed. And, over the years, I have heard many things that make me confident that those in charge DO care, and do TAKE care of the feelings of the cast.
But at least some of the not- in- the- show (apart from finale, of course!) kids weren't entirely left out. If you look VERY closely (!) at pictures of the audience: front row, balcony, left side, as you face audience, you can see several Billys and at least one Debbie enjoying the show, I believe. So glad the management gave up those ticket sales, for the kids. It was The Right Thing To Do!
b) Regarding "Two Billys in training... someone leaving soon?" Many Billys train for a LONG TIME before making it onto the stage.
a) Who was in recorded show: One of the delights, for me, of the show is that "kids" are ALLOWED to be in the Big Bad Real World. And I have little doubt that as a result of being in the show (and in part because of the selection process) they would be big enough to understand that the kids chosen were the kids thought to be most likely to do the best job. This isn't primary school. There isn't a ribbon for everyone.
Still in that vein... Of course the ones not used will have been disappointed. And, over the years, I have heard many things that make me confident that those in charge DO care, and do TAKE care of the feelings of the cast.
But at least some of the not- in- the- show (apart from finale, of course!) kids weren't entirely left out. If you look VERY closely (!) at pictures of the audience: front row, balcony, left side, as you face audience, you can see several Billys and at least one Debbie enjoying the show, I believe. So glad the management gave up those ticket sales, for the kids. It was The Right Thing To Do!
b) Regarding "Two Billys in training... someone leaving soon?" Many Billys train for a LONG TIME before making it onto the stage.
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OliverWaters
- Ballet Girl
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Re: Rotations and Live
True, I guess the same disappointments would have happened when the CD was recorded, back in the day.Sheepdog wrote:Two things...
a) Who was in recorded show: One of the delights, for me, of the show is that "kids" are ALLOWED to be in the Big Bad Real World. And I have little doubt that as a result of being in the show (and in part because of the selection process) they would be big enough to understand that the kids chosen were the kids thought to be most likely to do the best job. This isn't primary school. There isn't a ribbon for everyone.
Still in that vein... Of course the ones not used will have been disappointed. And, over the years, I have heard many things that make me confident that those in charge DO care, and do TAKE care of the feelings of the cast.
But at least some of the not- in- the- show (apart from finale, of course!) kids weren't entirely left out. If you look VERY closely (!) at pictures of the audience: front row, balcony, left side, as you face audience, you can see several Billys and at least one Debbie enjoying the show, I believe. So glad the management gave up those ticket sales, for the kids. It was The Right Thing To Do!
I remember when I was in the lobby on Live day, I saw (I think it was) Ollie J and Bradley P being escorted through the crowd, so I guess that explains where they were being taken!
Occam's razor: The simplest answer is the most probable.
Oliver's razor: The most boring answer is the most probable.
Oliver's razor: The most boring answer is the most probable.
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jamiebytheloch
- Audience Member
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Re: Rotations and Live
With regards to the cast for the live show. I am unlucky that i can only judge by what i read from you all
What I would think is yes all the billys deserve to have been involved as leads. But being the senior billy
Elliott Hanna would have been the first choice just for that fact alone. With the experience he has developed
in his 115 shows to date. The szme with the rest of the senior cast. As for the original BIlly playing the
older BE was a fitting tribute for without his hard work including all the promotional stuff he did
Who knows maybe we wouldnt be here debating rotations and cast choices
Now i know im not a long term member here, and many of you have more knowledge ALL THINGS B.E.
But I do think the cast are close and accept the choices the billy family team have to make
For the good of all.
Jamie
What I would think is yes all the billys deserve to have been involved as leads. But being the senior billy
Elliott Hanna would have been the first choice just for that fact alone. With the experience he has developed
in his 115 shows to date. The szme with the rest of the senior cast. As for the original BIlly playing the
older BE was a fitting tribute for without his hard work including all the promotional stuff he did
Who knows maybe we wouldnt be here debating rotations and cast choices
Now i know im not a long term member here, and many of you have more knowledge ALL THINGS B.E.
But I do think the cast are close and accept the choices the billy family team have to make
For the good of all.
Jamie
Re: Rotations and Live
It does bear remembering that the production team is mostly interested in giving the best possible show to first-time viewers, since we fans and repeat viewers make up a very, very small percentage of the weekly ticket sales. Although dividing anniversary and other special performances between three or four Billys is a nice treat for the dedicated core, for things like the OCR and the live broadcast, presenting a single Billy presents the easiest to follow version of the show.
Having said that, I'm glad I'm not the one who has to make the call of who to include, and who to leave out.
Having said that, I'm glad I'm not the one who has to make the call of who to include, and who to leave out.
Re: Rotations and Live
I think the Live Performance broke the rules. They chose the one they judged was best suited for a very important role. No more; no less. And the decision may not have had to include 'numbers of performances'.
But I would guess that the other rotations are determined by a number of factors: these are a guess, but would include normal rotation, days off, educational reasons, fitness, family reasons and other. Plus, of course, filling in for absent Billys.
Regarding the concept of 'Senior Billy', I have always taken this as the one who has accrued the most performances. It means little, and certainly does not indicate anything other than that fact. I believe there was a moment in July when the 'senior Billy' (using that criteria) was on stage in Ogunquit.................
However, in my opinion, once they have complete just one performance, they are all a band of equals. Goodness knows I could never have done what they do!
But I would guess that the other rotations are determined by a number of factors: these are a guess, but would include normal rotation, days off, educational reasons, fitness, family reasons and other. Plus, of course, filling in for absent Billys.
Regarding the concept of 'Senior Billy', I have always taken this as the one who has accrued the most performances. It means little, and certainly does not indicate anything other than that fact. I believe there was a moment in July when the 'senior Billy' (using that criteria) was on stage in Ogunquit.................
However, in my opinion, once they have complete just one performance, they are all a band of equals. Goodness knows I could never have done what they do!
Re: Rotations and Live
Elliot has been playing the role for longer than the other boys, but I don't think that is why he was chosen for the live show/DVD. Also, although in the role for less time, Bradley has performed about the same amount of times as Elliot.
Matteo and Elliot seem to do less shows than the other Billy's. There may be a reason for that, but I really don't think it matters. The last friend I went to the show with, having viewed the DVD, was hoping that Elliot was going to be performing; he wasn't: Matteo was...... After the show, she was not disappointed.
Each Billy is different, but they are all very good. Also, with each Billy.... the show changes. Which, for me, is what makes repeat viewings so enjoyable.
Matteo and Elliot seem to do less shows than the other Billy's. There may be a reason for that, but I really don't think it matters. The last friend I went to the show with, having viewed the DVD, was hoping that Elliot was going to be performing; he wasn't: Matteo was...... After the show, she was not disappointed.
Each Billy is different, but they are all very good. Also, with each Billy.... the show changes. Which, for me, is what makes repeat viewings so enjoyable.