Reviews - Iceland

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Darth_Revan
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Reviews - Iceland

Post by Darth_Revan »

I've seen two shows with two different Billies at Reykjavik City Theatre (18th and 19th), Micheal was played by the same boy.
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After seeing the Danish production, I did not expect too much from it as Iceland is a smaller country and it must be harder to find exceptionally talented young boys.

I couldn't have been more wrong! Both Billies I saw were great! Acting, singing, dancing were at the highest standard, both of the boys could go on stage in London any time.
Unfortunately I did not find the cast announcement board in the theatre so I don't know their names :(
The one on the poster, with darker hair and the other one was a blond haired boy.
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Their performances were flawless, the choreography was challenging, not numbed down.
The show started with a little history on the coal or industrial revolution, I'm not sure, then continued with the history of the miners strike.
A little girl appeared on the stage on a push bike, followed by two older girls and the small boy.
The miners were lifted up from the mine, I liked this detail, it gave a frame to the story, as they would go down at the end.
It was a revolving (rotating?) stage, it helped a lot with the smooth scene changes.
There was a big set, one side was Billy's house, the other side was the community hall, there was a separate set for the boxing hall and there was one for the dressing room (instead of bathroom). Michael's room was two sided as well, and they rotated it during expressing yourself. Billy's room had 3 posters, one E.T., one western film with Charles Bronson and the third one might have been an Elton John poster, but I'm not 100 % sure.
As I wrote the scene changes were smooth, and they used every bit of the stage. The stage was big and the edge was not a straight line, but curved. Even the curtain was curved.
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During the first song the small boy did a couple of cart wheels, he was good. Only complaint that he was dressed like a little hipster. :)
I also did not like Mrs Wilkinson's dresses. Most of the time she was dressed as 80's aerobic instructor, at home at Christmas she wore an overall, like something a car mechanic would wear. All other costumes were OK.
Grandma's song started in Billy's room upstairs, as she sang about the past young grandma and grandpa appeared downstairs, soon grandma joined them and she danced with a second grandpa. As I watched the young couple dancing I thought their shadows looked like it was a projection, and soon I learned it was a projection as the shadow of grandpa started to threaten grandma in the shadow world, but not in real life.
The police then arrived with suitcases, I didn't really understood why they had the suitcases with them, as they were not involved in the choreography.
On the second show I sat in row one (seat 11), and I was constantly spat on during solidarity as they sang at the edge of the stage. It's something you can expect, but I was quite surprised when one of the miners' hard hat hit my shoulder and landed in the lap of the guy behind me. We were not sure what to do, the guy suggested to give it to the conductor, but I did not find that a good idea, so i put it on the edge of the stage. Soon after somebody came through the auditorium to collect it :) she did not came in to the row, we had to pass it on to her.
The orchestra was located under the first two rows of seats, they were in a 3 metre deep pit, the conductor had to climb up to his seat, he was sitting deep, you could not see him.
I sat right next to the conductor
Expressing yourself started with both boys wearing no shoes, very little dancing and then they put on skirts on their arms and put on shoes on their hands, lay down on the bed and started hand tapping! I was like what?! But soon after that they put on their tapping shoes and showed us their stunning tapping moves, they were pros!
Then the miners came out of the closets wearing silly women clothing, bras and shoes on their heads etc. Then a giant pair of woman shoes appeared on stage and the boys used them as slides.
The letter was great, the blond boy had actual tears in his eyes, but both boys made me cry.
The I love to boogie ended with the boys doing the wall jump.
The angry dance was similar to the London version, but it was more intense, I really liked the part where the policemen were circling Billy. The audience really liked it and the applaud continued long after the curtain was lowered.
In the intermission water was provided at the bar, so you did not have to buy bottled water for €3.50. No food or beverages were allowed in the auditorium.
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The second act started with the boys (Billy, Michael, small boy, tall boy) collecting for the miners. A lot of people put money in their buckets.
There were boxes on the stage, they turned out to be puzzle pieces, and when they were built together they were actually Maggie Thatcher, the mouth piece was movable and there were flames behind it and smoke coming out of it. She ate one of the children and tried to eat Santa as well, but he was to big.
Billy and Michael conversation started on top of the set, 2-3 metres high, at the edge with no safety bar or anything, I think it was an unnecessary risk
Michael did some very good dance moves, the music was the blue Danube waltz.
The dream ballet was beautiful. Older billy was lifted up from under the stage with a bar, they did not use chairs, they started at the bar.
The electricity was the ballet version, and both boys did a fantastic performance.
I found the ending of the show better here than the original in London. After Billy kissed Michel and said good bye, it's Michael who left the stage on his bike, Billy paused a moment, looked on the audience and started walking towards the far end of the stage, then bright lights were lit up and billy disappeared. It gave me goosebumps.
There was no tapping at the beginning of the finale, but their version was very good as well. Dad and Tony were pushed onto the stage on the huge shoes. Michael had a little more time on the stage. The small boy took part in the final dance and he was wearing a tutu as well. The curtain calls lasted until the very end of the music.

I'm so glad i saw these two great shows, the cast was the best, these boys were at the highest standard, excellent performers. You should all go to Iceland and see the show there.

Also, Iceland is beautiful! I have to thank Billy, because if it's not for the show I would have never traveled to Iceland.

A great background to do the Billy Jump :)
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István
kport
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Re: March 2015 Reviews - Iceland

Post by kport »

What a fantastic review, Darth_Revan! With photos as well! Thank you so much for taking so much care in describing what sounds to be a great production.

And when I read this:
I found the ending of the show better here than the original in London. After Billy kissed Michel and said good bye, it's Michael who left the stage on his bike, Billy paused a moment, looked on the audience and started walking towards the far end of the stage, then bright lights were lit up and billy disappeared. It gave me goosebumps.
......I thought: what a revelation! These details are what make this musical strong, and increasingly fascinating. Thanks for a brilliant review!
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ERinVA
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Re: March 2015 Reviews - Iceland

Post by ERinVA »

I also enjoyed the review. I'm glad that we had a forum member able to be there and tell us about it. Thanks for helping us to share the experience.
Ellen



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jtsw1
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Re: March 2015 Reviews - Iceland

Post by jtsw1 »

Thanks! I already suspected this was something special from the unique design (I like the bleaker tone of it), now I know it. I don't think I'm gonna be able to visit Iceland soon, so thanks again for your review.
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angelenroute
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Re: March 2015 Reviews - Iceland

Post by angelenroute »

Brilliant review, Darth_Revan, thank you very much!

Sean

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Re: March 2015 Reviews - Iceland

Post by Dancer »

Thanks so much for your reviews and photos, Darth_Revan. According to porschesrule's tracking thread, Solvi played Billy on the 18th. There is no information about the 19th but I'm guessing it was Hjortur, as Solvi and Hjortur have been alternating in the role since the show opened on 4th March. Unless, of course, Baldvin made his debut on the 19th.
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Darth_Revan
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Re: March 2015 Reviews - Iceland

Post by Darth_Revan »

Dancer wrote:Thanks so much for your reviews and photos, Darth_Revan. According to porschesrule's tracking thread, Solvi played Billy on the 18th. There is no information about the 19th but I'm guessing it was Hjortur, as Solvi and Hjortur have been alternating in the role since the show opened on 4th March. Unless, of course, Baldvin made his debut on the 19th.
Thanks, I haven't checked that thread.
I can confirm Hjörtur played Billy on the 19th, I recognized him from the picture with the ballet girls :)
http://betm.theskykid.com/billy-elliot- ... mation/15/
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dongringo
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Re: March 2015 Reviews - Iceland

Post by dongringo »

I just scored a ticket to the final show on June 14. Thanks Darth_Revan for the great review. I'm very excited to be able to see Billy in Iceland. :D
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dongringo
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Re: March 2015 Reviews - Iceland

Post by dongringo »

Darth_Revan quick question...My ticket is Row 8 Seat 30. Where would seat 30 be located? Is it obstructed at all?
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Re: March 2015 Reviews - Iceland

Post by Darth_Revan »

dongringo wrote:Darth_Revan quick question...My ticket is Row 8 Seat 30. Where would seat 30 be located? Is it obstructed at all?
seating plan:
http://midi.is/images/halls/6.10.gif

Your view won't be obstructed, it's a modern theater building,
I think you can see the full stage from any seat (but I only tried two :)
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