Billy Elliot The Musical, Sunderland Empire
One word sums up this production. Wow! This was the first time I’d seen Billy Elliot the Musical and it was quite simply one of the best shows I’ve ever seen in a theatre.
The story is based on the film, Billy Elliot, written by North East writer Lee Hall. In case anyone doesn’t know, it follows a young lad from a Durham pit village who decides to become a ballet dancer.
This show gave me goosebumps before it had even started as there was a powerful speech on behalf of the company, explaining how Sunderland was the spiritual home of Billy Elliot and how fitting it was to begin this new tour in the city.
The show is set during the 1980’s miners’ strike with Billy’s home life, and the hardship caused by it, laid bare. Light relief on the poverty caused by the strike is created by Lesley Joseph, hilarious as Billy’s Grandmother.
Billy was played brilliantly by William Gurney and these opening scenes in his home with his bedroom up in a tiny turret worked well.
The scenes then switch between the miners’ hall with impassioned discussions on the strike, a huge miner’s banner for Easington dominating the room and the local ballet school. Billy stumbles into the dance class after a boxing session, which is his Dad’s preferred masculine hobby for him. Deka Walmsley as Dad gives a great performance as his character goes on his own journey of discovery of culture’s worth.
There is not just conflict between Billy and his Dad, who doesn’t want him to do ballet but violent battles between the miners and the police. These scenes at the pit are brilliantly choreographed and powerful. The contrast with the girls innocently ballet dancing while the police march on the miners is so powerful.
Special mention must go to the two young actors Lola Cant and Harper Etienne who play Billy’s friends, Debbie and Michael. They were hilarious and had immaculate comic timing.
The ballet sequences were a welcome pause to the growing tension of the strike and its impact. One of the most effective of these was the scene where Billy dances with his grown up self as if he was in Swan Lake. It was both stunning and very moving.
Annette McLaughlin played the feisty ballet school head Mrs Wilkinson very well with just the right balance between encouragement and discipline of Billy.
The drama of the miners and their fight with Margaret Thatcher’s Government was perfectly pitched throughout with one scene where she comes to life. I won’t go into detail as it might spoil the surprise!
There were great moments of humour throughout the show as well as emotional points which gave me a huge lump in my throat.
I particularly enjoyed the dancing miners near the end of the performance which was a great funny counter-balance to the drama of their fight to get better pay. It looked like a rogue version of Riverdance.
The skill and stamina of the young actors in particular, was fantastic. William Gurney’s Billy was astounding throughout as he was so versatile - dancing from tap, to ballet and then demonstrating superb gymnastic skills as well as excellent acting.
This play has a tremendous pedigree, with music by Elton John and a track record which includes winning 85 awards since opening in 2005. You can see why. It has everything you want from a musical – first class performances, excellent choreography and sets which are perfect for the action.
I recommend seeing this Billy Elliott and say it actually deserves its five stars to be solid gold.