LP XLVII--Billy Elliot and Shows

One of the top West End shows, Billy Elliot continues to attract a full house at every performance. I decided to see it for the second time. Based on a movie of the same name, Elton John added songs to the outstanding story of a boy wanting to be a dancer but growing up with an expectation of being a boxer and later a miner. While the story may not be all that original, underprivileged boy with talent finally gets a chance to escape his environment, in the hands of Elton John it becomes a musical and emotional delight.

Certainly one of my favorite shows, each song is a gem of invention and balance from the sarcastic comedy of Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher to the touching sentimentality of The Letter. With great energy that alternates anger with joy, fear with comfort, humor with serious, the musical zings around, leaving the audience breathless with emotion and excitement. We cheer for Billy, we fear for his brother, we anguish with the father, and we are angry with the political machinations that are affecting the miners. When the father sings of his homeland and his sadness, we are touched by the Irish folk music. When Billy expresses his anger by kicking and yelling during the police intrusion on the miners, we share in his furious action.

Then when Billy auditions for the ballet company and on his way out begins singing Electricity, we are completely caught up in his desire for a better world. Perhaps the greatest moment of the musical occurs when Billy begins to imagine himself as a ballet dancer. On stage we experience a second more mature Billy and when they dance together, the magic of a flying Billy lifts the audience to a dream-like emotion. Our heart skips a beat when Billy is flung out to the people and lifted to the top of the stage. Quite a moment.

But in some ways it was all expected. After all we are talking about a West End show in London. Every West End show, Wicked, Les Miserables, Phantom, Shrek the Musical, Lion King, Rock of Ages, We Will Rock You, and the list continues, is at the highest level. The staging, the acting, the singing, the lighting, the sets, costumes, and the energy are all executed with perfection and artistry. Only the best are allowed on stage or in the pit. It makes for an artistic experience that brings together music, theatre, art, and technical skill that surpasses anything else on the planet. Add all that to a classy space adorned with ornamented boxes, small but plush seats, colorful carpets and gold trim and the audience is given a non-stop treat of artistic joy.

There are many reasons to visit London, but one should not leave without experience a West End Musical. Just pick one or fifteen and attend. You will be entranced from beginning to end.