REVIEW: Billy Elliot on the CURVE theatre, Leicester

Billy Elliot, primarily based on Stephen Daldry’s acclaimed movie from 2000 tells the story of neighborhood, acceptance and one boy chasing his dream in opposition to all the percentages. After its many profitable years within the West Finish, Billy Elliot lastly makes a long-awaited return in a brand new re-imagined manufacturing from director Nikolai Foster and choreographer Lucy Hind on the Leicester Curve. 

What has and all the time works for Billy Elliot is the way it’s one of many only a few productions that handle to make the transition from display to stage so properly. It takes the memorable moments from the movie and provides in an array of musical numbers (music from Elton John and Lyrics from Lee Corridor). Mixed it turns into a musically catchy and enlarged model of the beloved movie. 

As for the present itself, its power works in its numbers, notably the scenes involving the solid as a neighborhood. The numerous numbers involving the minors had been highly effective and unforgettable. Albeit an almost hefty 9 minutes lengthy, ‘Solidarity’ is definitely the standout music within the present. Full of an immensely proficient cohort of younger kids, trapped between the category divide depicted by the remainder of the solid. 

Although if we’re people notably then a couple of have to be praised. In fact the titular character firstly, Billy (Jaden Shentall-Lee) was excellent. Completely embodying a younger boy who has a dream to chase however struggles in a city that seems so gassing it. Shentall-Lee’s moments on his personal had been a pleasure to say, ‘Indignant Dance’ and ‘Electrical energy’ showcased simply how proficient this younger boy actually is. Different mentions to the opposite Elliot relations, older brother Tony (Luke baker) and Dad, Jackie (Joe Caffrey). Each performed their characters so properly, permitting the viewers to share their frustrations and query as to why they’re caught of their methods and might’t help Billy’s dream. Nonetheless, because the present progresses they start to point out a special facet and we start to sympathise. Lastly, reward to Mrs Wilkinson (Sally Ann Triplett), Billy’s dance trainer. The pair have fantastic on-stage chemistry and a pure bond that’s immediately heartwarming to observe, any scene with the pair collectively is transferring, comical and joyous. 

It’s very troublesome to get this present fallacious, offering you keep on with the formulation of its earlier profitable productions then it’s a certain win. With highly effective and touching moments all through, Billy’s interactions along with his mum and the scab amassing the audition cash to call a couple of. Nonetheless, with this being a re-imaging it, sadly, appeared to overlook sure factors that the predecessors received proper. Some elements of the brand new manufacturing appeared nearly too twenty first century, the Primark slogan Christmas jumpers lacking the mark together with Billy’s Mum showing too younger and trendy as if she’s nearly from the longer term slightly than the previous. The manufacturing itself probably being a sufferer of making an attempt to re-invent itself as a ‘new’ manufacturing could finally be the explanation it didn’t fairly good re-defining the basic humour and dances with out altering it sufficient to be authentic. 

Taking nothing away, it’s a heartwarming and energetic manufacturing about chasing your dream and the approaching collectively of a neighborhood that can go away you wanting to bounce proper out of the theatre all the way in which house. 

Overview by George Butler

Score: ★★★★

Seat: Stalls D22 | Value of ticket: £56.00