May 2015 reviews - London

[Billy Whiz]

Here are a few photos from the 10th Birthday Show. We were all in the Grand Circle and photography was very difficult due to the distance and angle but I hope you like them.

[CJ-Rochester]

These photos are excellent BW!

[ERinVA]

I second that! Thank you for the great photos, David.

[patc]

Thanks, David, fantastic photos, as usual – even from the lofty heights of the GC, LOL.

Thursday Matinee 14th May

Shame yesterday’s thrilling matinee wasn’t filmed for keeps. Masterclasses from Bradley (the “Thursday Specialist”), Nathan and Kyria formed the backbone of a most exhilarating show watched by a very involved and enthusiastic audience that included more than a few persons from Tuesday night’s extravaganza who helped to enliven the atmosphere no end.

Even if Bradley, Nathan and Kyria never dance another step or sing another note their incredibly brilliant acting talent alone will get them to wherever they want to go such was its quality. I feel so privileged to have been able to enjoy such superb performances and have all my emotions twisted and turned in all directions until the still, silent, Nathan’s wonderfully expressive eyes broke hearts as they disappeared behind the falling curtain.

The Ballet Girls were just sensational both individually and as a group.

With principals Deka, Ruthie, Chris and Gillian remaining in situ for another spell the 11th year is going to be one hell of a journey. Ruthie’s comment in the interview with London Theatre Guide says it all for the fans, too:

"We're just all having a ball. It's such an incredible show. That's why I'm not moving on from it. I'm loving every single minute."

For me it’s actually every single millisecond.

Yesterday was also a sad occasion as it was my last time to see Barnaby, David Muscat and Alan Mehdizadeh in action at the VPT (there may be others we don’t know about yet). These three supremely talented performers have all brought their respective characters to new heights during their time in the show and have set major challenges to their successors. I can’t thank them enough.

Raise all your glasses to them and to year 11.

Pat

[Katwoman]

Thank you Chris and Katwoman for the wonderful reviews.

Katwoman. I hope your sister has recovered from her operation.

Thanks for your good wishes. My sister had her operation on 12th May (!), and she is now at home. We have tickets for Wimbledon in July, so we're hoping she'll be fit enough to go. We would also like to take in a couple of shows if she can manage the hustle and bustle of London. On Wednesday, while she was still in the hospital, she said she might even go to see "Billy Elliot" again, but I won't hold her to it. It was probably the drugs talking!

[Billy Whiz]

Here are some photos from the cast leavers' night on Saturday, May 16th.

[kport]

I haven't been to the VPT in six months, but every one of those people are absolutely wonderful. I hope that BETM remains in London - at the VPT or elsewhere - so that they may return one day.

[dancingboy]

That Was The Week That Was

Tuesday 12 May to Monday 18 May, taking in the 10th Anniversary Show, a Cast Leaver's Show and Cast Change Show.

Just a few words from me regarding these three shows. Although I have only just recovered from sore knees from watching the Anniversary Show from the Grand Circle ( never again!!) I enjoyed the tag-team idea. Having seen the last show on Broadway I knew what to expect and I think it worked well, even though we had six Billys sharing the show. It was great to see the recently 'retired' Elliott and Matteo back on the stage. Elliott's Angry Dance was first class and fully deserved the standing ovation it received.

I particularly liked the 'hand over' for Dream Ballet, when Bradley handed his denim jacket over to Ollie, you could almost hear him say ''I'm Senior Billy, I'm doing Dream Ballet, now take my jacket''. Also, I liked the 'hand over' from Brodie to Matteo in the RBS Letter scene. That had everyone laughing. Then there was the 'gathering', many former Billys brought on to the stage by the four Small Boys, plus, it was a nice touch to have many former Ballet Girls parading in front of the stage. It brought an excellent show to a fitting closure. After the show, I also had the opportunity to have a few words with some of the former Billys, which rounded off the eveing for me.

It is always a sad occasion to say 'Goodbye' to cast members, particularly those who have been a part of the show for many years, such as Barnaby Meredith, Steve Paget, Spencer Cartwright. More recent additions to the cast also had their last show and they all deserved their ovations, having pulled out all the stops to give the audience a most enjoyable evening.

Deka made a quick speech at the end of the show to introduce Small Boy Billy and Tall Boy Fred, who performed for the last time, then singled out Spencer Cartwright to thank him for his efforts over the last eight years or so of being in the cast. A rousing cheer from the audience sent Spencer on his way. To those who left, we wish them well for the future.

And so to yesterday ( Monday) and some new cast members. Including Small Boys and Tall Boys there would now be about 15 new cast members in total, new Small Boy Che and Tall Boy Logan ( a former Small Boy, incidentally) making their debuts in Monday's show. Che, in particular, was very lively and didn't show any sign of first night nerves. Ruthie was back as Mrs Wilkinson, after a few days off, and we saw Brodie give another polished performance as Billy. One new cast member is, in fact, someone we have seen before, James Butcher, playing Older Billy. You would never think he had been away for a couple of years, he was excellent.

BTW, watch out for a slight change in Mr Braithwaite's routine in Born to Boogie. Phil Snowden is obviously now putting his own stamp on the role.

Debuts for many, of course, actors whom we shall get used to over the coming weeks and months, but who started their BETM careers in good style.

[Billy Whiz]

Thanks John.

A really nice review of the 3 shows.

I have to agree TW3.

[dancingboy]

Tuesday 19 May

( Not really a review)

A late start and a late finish to the show, due to technical problems. The show was at least fifteen minutes late starting, following a couple of announcements by David Massey, firstly to say that they were experiencing a severe technical problem, then that all was well and the show could start.
However, it was clear ( to those who knew these things) that the bed/kitchen apparatus was not quite sitting in the correct position during the Breakfast scene and after this, the apparatus was not seen again.
Full marks, therefore, to the cast, but Bradley, especially, for working and improvising without the bedroom/kitchen. Angry Dance, danced fully from the floor of the stage, was particularly impressive. In fact, I thought it looked better like this, rather than starting from the bedroom.
Due to the time of the late finish I had not expected the Finale to take place, but it did, as did the final curtain call. The show finished at about 10.40.
At least this didn't happen last Tuesday!!