There's a good possibilty for me to be able to give a 15-20 minute talk plus do Q&A before one of the Vancouver regional production performances in about 6 weeks from now.
What do you think are the top 5 things show goers would want to ask post show or could benefit from hearing pre-show if they've never experienced BETM before and are not from the UK? Without any spoiling that is.
I am thinking of explaining some Geordie-isms like 'bairn'
Explaining the worldwide phenomenom (Korea-Brazil-Holland etc)
Who the show's other Michael (Heseltine) was
Trivia like that Elton John's partner is Canadian (he is, isn't he?)
How Billy-ies are auditioned and prepared
Because I have yet to witness my first regional production, I have little grasp of the changes apart from no aerial in Dream duet. I hope I might be invited to attend a dress or other rehearsal to gain insights and perspective. I have yet to learn who they are casting for the leads, nor how many for each role, so whether they are coming off other shows, will have great dialogue (regional accent), etc.
(For Pride and Prejudice production, a member of the Jane Austin Society dressed up and gave a spiel.)
Thanks if you can offer any points from your vastly broader experiences from mine.
Here's a localized fansite:
http://www.Facebook.com/BillyElliotVancouver with some shots I took outside of the box office yesterday.