What a wonderful evening with all those fans around! This doubles the fun. But no, I will not give up my first row middle seat ticket for Oliver tomorrow and join for Billy Elliot, like some of them proposed.
That was the second time I could see Fox and he has changed over the last one and a half years!
Let me try to go through the show chronologically. „The stars look down“: I really like this song, as it expresses all the hope the people have at the beginning of the long conflict. Today it was not too loud, which it sometimes is. This is also the first appearance of Billy, and to my impression Foxes voice has matured. Not too much, but no soprano any longer (someone more knowledgeable might correct me).
The early morning scene, with the whole family: very funny. I can laugh at the pancake/sugar scene every time I see it. Then Billy with grandma: obviously not only Foxes voice has matured, but his acting also, simply perfect. Interaction with his mom, very thoughtful. The boxing scene, funny as always with an intermediate applause for small boy when he gives up over his pushups. So sweet.
Shine: again with a brilliant Caroline Deverill. Very good voice, strong presence. I could imagine, that it is not easy for Billy and the girls to pretend, they cannot dance: they did it perfectly, though! In the bridge to the next scene we see Billy doing some shadow play while he imitates some dancing moves. Fox made it quite clear in this short scene, that his dancing skills are without question.
This leads over to „We’d go dancing“. Not really my song. The more often I hear it, the better it gets, nevertheless, not my favourite. Which does not mean, that it wasn’t performed very well!
Bridge to „Solidarity“: funny and good played by the policemen. Interaction of Billy and Debby very good. It is important that Debby reacts reasonably to the fact, that Billy’s mom is dad, which Fleur does!
„Solidarity“: certainly one of my favourites! I like the mixture of the miners conflict with the dancing lessons (nevertheless I would like to have a pure Solidarity song on CD). This is the scene, when it turns out, Billy has potential. Fox played the scene when Mrs. Wilkinson explains pirouetts differently, as he stood besides the girls and just Debby observed him closely. This is the first time, Debby shows her affection for Billy and very good played by Fleur. And also very good, that Fox reacted to this.
Bridge to „Expressing yourself“. When Billy gets banned from ballet lessons: Billy shouts „I hate you“ at his father and then calls him a bastard. This is difficult to play convincingly, but Fox made it! Then Mrs. Wilkinson persuades Billy to private lessons. Also difficult to play, but no problem for Fox.
„Expressing yourself“: George and Fox were just having fun. George made Fox grin a couple of times, which was perfect. By the way, in German I would call George a „Rampensau“. For all who have followed me until here: now you can find out, what that means, as there is no translation in English.
Bridge to „The letter“ when the situation at home goes out of control: Craig Gallivan as Tony is brilliant! Very convincing indeed.
„The letter“: I have heard this song so often now, but it still moves me.
„Born to Boogie“: three great singing and dancing actors on stage!
Bridge to „Angry dance“, which starts with Debby and Billy. Good acting at first, but when Debby proposes the unspeakable Fox just grinned, before he acted again. I liked it that way, too
Then the scene, when Billy shows his affection for Mrs. Wilkinson: very believable! Then at home, when everything escalates. Again great acting of Craig Gallivan!
„Angry dance“: energetic, strong, very good presence. I would like to know, how the kids prepare for this scene.
After the interval the funny talk of Dad: again he picked me. I know, it is just that seat…
„Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher“: I catched myself singing a few lines but realized soon enough!
Then one of Dads best scenes „Deep into the ground“, where I realized, that David Bardsley has a really good voice. Then Billy joins in. Very good acting of Fox in the Bridge to the Swan Lake scene together with George.
„Swan Lake scene“: I could watch this over and over. The music is so fantastic. And the duet of Fox and Barnaby was thrilling. Fox seemed to have lots of fun during that scene!
„He could be a star“: good acting and singing between David and Craig.
Bridge to „Electricity“ starts with the collection of the money. That was Craigs best scene, as he made me cry in the end. I believed him! The scene leads over to the funny scene before the curtain. Very good acting of David and I had to realize, that he plays very differently to Joe Caffrey. A little less silly I would say.
„Electricity“: Fox at his best. And David (burtond) I disagree: also the street Billys dance differently. Fox has definitely the most acro in it! I hear this song often at home and sing to it. Fortunately for the rest of the audiance I could control myself this time. Foxes interpretation is definitely better!
Bridge to „Once we were kings“, when Billy receives his result: nicely played. „Once we were kings“: the other scene, where I had to cry. I love to see Billy standing in the light of the miners headlights. This makes a strong impression on me.
„Letter reply“: very touching. When Fox came down directly in front of me, I again realized, how much this little man impressed me. When he is on stage, I don’t see a kid in him, but an absolute professional.
Then the goodbye scene between Billy and Michael. My impression was, that George nearly cried, when the curtain came down. And I could understand this. Thank god we have the finale and it ended with a well deserved standing ovation!
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