Billy Elliot: The Musical Live

The story of this musical is wonderful, and I know many people who need to see a story like this. Well done! Bravo!

There's really not much that can be said about this other than it is just fantastic. The energy and talent on display here is phenomenal and we get a front row seat - better in fact, because we're often actually on the stage watching from close quarters. Kudos to Elliott Hanna, in fact to anyone who performs the role of Billy Elliott. The amount of skill, athleticism and energy required (and on display here) is phenomenal. Young Elliott is wonderful and you'll be worn out watching him! He IS Billy Elliott. All the cast are great and the stagecraft is brilliant. I would suggest that you will enjoy this more if you have seen the movie first. If I was to make one criticism, and it's not really a criticism, it is the original musical score by Elton John. It's great and appropriate and enjoyable while you're actually watching the stage show, but there are no songs that you'll be humming afterwards. It's mostly pretty forgettable. Still, that doesn't detract at all from a great show and you won't be sorry you invested 2½ hours or so on this.

What an incredible ten year run coming to a close April 9th, 2016. From a man who never wrote songs combined with a man who embraces the production of fine art through any medium as collection of ideas and abilities. This movie is an epic example of how a decade of work can shine. Elliott, and every Billy, brought with them very little skill for this monstrosity of a role. What were you doing at 12? The stage, music, lighting, and fiery audience gives you a feel as if your a drone buzzing about the airspace of the Victoria Palace Theatre. There is not a character you wont be able to connect with. A tasteful buffet of all dance styles. Grab a box of Kleenex. Have watched it more than ten times now. Includes bonus performance. If you can't get to London get it to your TV.

Unless you're a fan of stage musicals, this is a big bust. The original movie was masterful, with the music selection and the direction and the cinematography. I so disliked every single thing about this stage production (with a couple exceptions). Not every single minor character needs a solo to pad it out to three hours, ffs. Mr. Braithwaite, for example. Really? Elliot Hanna was brilliant as Billy, and there were a couple set pieces that featured him that are tear-inducing. The rest of it... meh.

Superb performance,love the 'Live' format. Twenty six dancing Billy Elliots In the Chorus line. We saw the show at Victoria Palace. The live format at ICON in Minneapolis where a smallish appreciative audience applauded right along with the audience in London's West End. Every cast member was in top form and the camera close-ups and aerial shots gave us unprecedented access. The dialog was a challenge to the Mid-West ear but the energy of delivery of the lines conveys the meaning the trauma of the CMU strike. ' Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher' is a routine that stays in one's memory long after the final curtain. For me this was the finest night in the Cinema for a very long time.