"billy Elliot", a musical by Lee Hall and Elton John Options

[TOC]

Billy Elliot was more political than I was expecting. The program set the scene:

In 1984, the British National Union of Mineworkers (the NUM) went on strike to save the coal industry from the threatened closures of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was politically opposed to state-owned industry and determined to crush the unions.

The strike went on for a year. The miners' families had to survive on handouts from other working people who supported their stand. But by employing riot police to intimidate their communities and importing coal from Eastern Europe, the Conservative government broke the unions. Over the subsequent 10 years, the entire industry was dismantled.

The story of Billy Elliot takes place in the coal fields of Northern England, where mining had been the major employer for hundreds of years. In 1984 more than 300,000 men worked in the mining industry; today there are less than 1,000. More than 98 percent of the coal used for British energy is now imported from abroad.

The miners' hatred of Margaret Thatcher was somewhat shocking to me -- even though I live in a time and place where Republicans talk of "second amendment solutions", "Don't retreat -- reload", "It's time to water the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants and patriots"-- lots of coded phrases suggesting violence. There was nothing coded about "Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher" in which the whole community sings about how she's one day closer to the day she dies. Whew!

There were some amazing moments visually. Billy does some wire-work in which he flys high above the stage in a dream sequence. There's a scene which is both a children's ballet class and a battle between riot police and striking miners. They both take place at the same time and in the same place -- carefully choreographed so they don't crash into each other, but simply pass between. Then there's the foggy scene when the miners are returning to work and all have the lights on their hats on. The lights illuminate the fog and Billy Elliot is silhouetted in front of them.

Three boys took turns playing Billy on Broadway and they all earned Tony awards. Five boys from around the world (Switzerland, Australia, U.S.) are playing the role in Minneapolis.

I'm very glad I got to see this!

Carol

[TaBet]

Is the musical the same plot as the movie "Billy Elliot"? About a boy who dances ballet, set in a poor mining area. That was a good movie.
Must be nice as a live act!!

By the way, Carol, what happend to your church choir concert that did not happen because of the weather in December?

[TOC]

Is the musical the same plot as the movie "Billy Elliot"? About a boy who dances ballet, set in a poor mining area.

Yes, the musical was based on the movie. You'll recall that the movie ends when Billy's father and brother come to see him dance when he's an adult. The musical ends earlier than that -- as the father and brother return to the mines and Billy walks off with his suitcase to catch the bus for London. However, we do get to SEE Billy dance as an adult (something we were denied in the movie). There's a scene in which Billy is dancing and we see the adult Billy duplicating his movements. Perhaps he's the personification of what Billy imagines he looks like as he's dancing. It's rather fascinating to watch the same moves made by a slender youngster and a muscular adult dancer. You can learn quite a bit about ballet just by watching this play.

By the way, Carol, what happend to your church choir concert that did not happen because of the weather in December?

We pulled out a couple songs and sang an abbreviated concert at the end of the children's Christmas program the following week. In all honesty, I think the kids were more fun to watch. I particularly got a kick out of our Joseph who sang "Angels We Have Heard on High" louder than the group of girls with hallos and wings. I've simply never seen a more enthusiastic Joseph! It still makes me smile when I think of him.

Guess I'm just a sucker for young men who dance and/or sing.

Carol

[O-jo Moonshade]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there just a teeny moment of adult Billy dancing in the movie?

It doesn't last long, but I do seem to recall that he is playing the lead in "Swan Lake", or some such thing.

As a plot, hmm... Would make for an interesting musical, I think. Seems to me it would fit quite well. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

[TOC]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there just a teeny moment of adult Billy dancing in the movie?

He does this great leap and then there's a freeze frame and the credits roll. If the guy doesn't even land, I don't call it dancing.

Carol

[O-jo Moonshade]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there just a teeny moment of adult Billy dancing in the movie?

He does this great leap and then there's a freeze frame and the credits roll. If the guy doesn't even land, I don't call it dancing.

Carol

Ah, so it's a matter of interpretation. I still call it dancing.

Years since I seen the movie anyway.