January 2015 Reviews - London
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 4:20 am
Thursday evening January 1st.....
I'm suffering from one of my bouts of insomnia at the moment. So I thought I would take the opportunity to write a quick review of the first Billy show of 2015.
For me, Deka Walmsley is so good in the role of Jackie Elliot that I sometimes forget that I am watching an actor performing a part. In fact, so powerful do I find his performance as Billy's Dad, that when I watch him, I find it very difficult to imagine anyone else playing the part.
How then does another actor fill in for him when he is absent? For the answer to that question, all you have to do is catch a show on one of Deka's rare nights off, when his alternate, David Bardsley plays Dad. David really puts his own stamp on it, and changes the dynamic completely. His Jackie is a more gentle, sympathetic, and also a more comedic one. He had me, and others laughing away at his unique comedy timing, but also moved at times also. I thought he was absolutely brilliant!
We asked at the box office before the show if Ann Emery has left the production? (Is it just me, or do the front of house team at the VPT seem a little unfriendly at times?)They weren't very forthcoming with an answer, so maybe she might return? If not, I'm happy that Gillian appears to have been given the role of Grandma, and after another fantastic show from her last night, she deserves it.
All round, it was a fantastic show, but not without a few mistakes! The most glaring one was when the button for one of the pre-recorded voice parts was pushed to early, about twenty seconds to early to be exact! It was the part where Tony climbs up onto the gate of the miners cage to stop his Dad from breaking the picket line. When he turns his back you get that screeching pre-recorded "Daaaaaaddddd." Well, we got it twice last night! These are minor complaints though, in what was an otherwise great Billy performance. The rest of "Born to boogie" was fantastic. (Perfect skipping ) Brodie's Electricity is really something, and the wall flip is a real crowd pleaser.
All in all...... A great way to start the New year.
I'm suffering from one of my bouts of insomnia at the moment. So I thought I would take the opportunity to write a quick review of the first Billy show of 2015.
For me, Deka Walmsley is so good in the role of Jackie Elliot that I sometimes forget that I am watching an actor performing a part. In fact, so powerful do I find his performance as Billy's Dad, that when I watch him, I find it very difficult to imagine anyone else playing the part.
How then does another actor fill in for him when he is absent? For the answer to that question, all you have to do is catch a show on one of Deka's rare nights off, when his alternate, David Bardsley plays Dad. David really puts his own stamp on it, and changes the dynamic completely. His Jackie is a more gentle, sympathetic, and also a more comedic one. He had me, and others laughing away at his unique comedy timing, but also moved at times also. I thought he was absolutely brilliant!
We asked at the box office before the show if Ann Emery has left the production? (Is it just me, or do the front of house team at the VPT seem a little unfriendly at times?)They weren't very forthcoming with an answer, so maybe she might return? If not, I'm happy that Gillian appears to have been given the role of Grandma, and after another fantastic show from her last night, she deserves it.
All round, it was a fantastic show, but not without a few mistakes! The most glaring one was when the button for one of the pre-recorded voice parts was pushed to early, about twenty seconds to early to be exact! It was the part where Tony climbs up onto the gate of the miners cage to stop his Dad from breaking the picket line. When he turns his back you get that screeching pre-recorded "Daaaaaaddddd." Well, we got it twice last night! These are minor complaints though, in what was an otherwise great Billy performance. The rest of "Born to boogie" was fantastic. (Perfect skipping ) Brodie's Electricity is really something, and the wall flip is a real crowd pleaser.
All in all...... A great way to start the New year.