![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
When I went in last night for the final show, I had high hopes and expectations, but I did not dream they would be surpassed in the way that they did.
The entire atmosphere was so special as soon as I got into the foyer. There were black and white photographs on the wall of all the young Billys from the period of learning to 'become Billy' which made me feel melancholy. But apart from that, there wasn't a hint of sadness in the air that this would really be the last show. Instead, the atmosphere was one of festivity, excitement, even pride. Many ex-cast members ran around in their red hoodies, followed by their proud families. I spotted a group of people also in red hoodies with the name of a Dutch Billy fanclub (or so I reckon) who later were interviewed by Backstage Now. There were fans in T-shirts of the London show and with buttons of the 10th anniversary in London. It felt like a gathering of Billy enthusiasts who were going to have “the best Billy party this town has ever had”.
All this enhanced when I was seated and started to notice familiar faces of Billys and Michaels in the audience. They would be onstage for the reprise but in the first half they sat in the audience to watch the show with everybody else, along with their relatives. It was pretty special to see these young celebrities in the crowd and they were obviously very excited, always looking around, waving, blowing kisses, smiling. I felt like this was their party and I had only crashed it. There were also many ex-ballet girls who made sure the atmosphere became electric very soon with their enthusiastic shouts and applauses. They cheered on all their old friends and colleagues. I soon found out I was seated next to the grandmother of Nick, the youngest Billy. She was obviously very proud
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
All this excitement hushed as the announcements started and the show was really to begin. Maybe it was me but I thought I sensed some hesitation in the opening song. As if everyone felt the nerves of this historic occasion. I know I felt it with Sammy, who forgot a line in his first sung part. But as soon as he recovered himself – very professionally – he proved he was totally fit to play this final night. You know how sometimes you can be nervous for someone on stage while you yourself are only watching? That was me for Sammy. I knew he could totally rule on stage and I wanted it so badly for him that I became quite nervous at the parts where Billy really shines. But he did! And how. He received standing ovations for Electricity and Angry Dance. When he had barely finished, people jumped up and burst into cheers and applause. At other times, the applause itself took so long the actors really had to wait to continue the scene, or interrupt the clapping! If I had to point out some criticism it might be that his acting seemed better when I saw the show in August but those are really minor things.
The frequent applause was not just for Sammy but for everyone. Like a way of saying a big, big thank you one last time – to Grandma, to Mr. Braithwaite, to Mum, Dad, everyone, even the boxing teacher as he shuffles out of the kitchen in his ballet pose. Sometimes the clapping interrupted the dynamic of a song, for instance the extra bits at the end of The Letter and Deep Into The Ground. But you could feel it was all out of warmth and enthusiasm. And the audience response to the Christmas lottery was just wild – shouting, screaming and extra (dirty) jokes thrown in by the cast . As well as rubber chickens being thrown into the crowd during Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher. A big, big party. As the story went through all the different emotions, you could feel the audience's attention. Laughter, silence, crying, hushed reactions at tender moments – it was all there.
I have a soft spot for the part of Michael and I have to say Rogier did a brilliant job. He got some of the loudest cheers of the whole night as he encouraged the crowd at the end of Expressing Yourself to make more noise. He totally enjoyed giving it all and he seemed to have a very natural chemistry with Sammy as Billy. A huge joy to watch. Senna as Debbie was also great and at her last big moan of frustration she was given a wonderful applause as she exited the stage. Such a difficult part to get right – to be this awkward, annoying girl and still win the hearts of the audience.
But for me the absolute highlight of the evening – and there were many! - was Sammy's Angry Dance. I remembered from last time that the beginning of it literally took my breath away. This time he captivated me from beginning to end. I would go so far and say I saw a perfect rendition, or as close as perfect gets. No question about it. The energy was completely there, as well as the precision and control. He truly gave the choreography all that it demands, which is a huge achievement in itself but even more so on a special night like this one. Maybe it was all the “electricity” in the room that made Sammy go and give it that extra push to make it happen. When he was finished and the crowd jumped up and roared, standing on that stage was a young man, not a boy. Just wow.
His pirouettes and overall performance of Electricity were also spot on and the Swan Lake scene was magical. In fact, the second act got me so involved that the end came suddenly. The reprise of The Letter – and Billy picks up his suitcase and leaves. One final moment – his goodbye kiss to Michael, and the curtain going down... I get teary eyed while writing it. That boy on his bicycle, disappearing behind the curtain as his friend walks away through the audience, for the last time...
As promised, there was a reprise with all the Billys and Michaels of the Dutch production. Such a special sight, to see them all together, knowing what experience was gathered there on stage. I noticed there were exceptionally loud cheers when the Billys of the first cast came on and they beamed with pride – and were still dancing like they never quit! At the last shout of Finish! from Expressing Yourself, coloured ribbons burst from the ceiling with a blast. A fitting ending to an amazing night and an amazing show.
Which brings us to the question of: what now? Now that the show is over... The artistic leader of the production, Maurice Wijnen, gave a speech in which he expressed his hope that all of the young talent on stage will have a future in theatre. And I too share that hope. Those boys and girls have learned so much and after almost a year, now this production is over, you just hope that all of what they have learned will continue somehow. Ofcourse for some it is too early to tell but I hope that all the children who performed in Billy Elliot will take with them this wonderful experience and build on that.
I was surprised and sad that the creative director of the production company was not present at this closing night, but on the other hand I was pleasantly surprised that there were no less than three people from the original London team in the audience. This shows a serious dedication of the English team in what the Dutch production has achieved and maybe, hopefully, that holds promises for the future, in whatever form.
For now, we can look back on all the wonderful memories of the Dutch Billy Elliot, a journey which ended in triumph. And that is only fitting.