Billy Elliot

After a week in the UK, doing some odd bits of work, then Friday was scheduled for a meeting with some folks at the London office. So, rather than a simple changing of planes at Gatwick, I left my luggage at Le Meridian (hotel at North Terminal) and hopped on the Gatwick Express for the short trip into London's Victoria Station. You've no idea how great it is to be able to get on a train, get taken to where you want to go, when you want to get there and walk to your destination, unless you have lived in car centric Houston for a year!

In the evening, I had noticed earlier in the week that Billy Elliot: The Musical had opened for previews the day before at the Victoria Palace. As this is pretty much across the road from the office, I procured one of the last tickets for the show.

Well, I thought it'd be good, but not quite as superb as it actually was. Considering the material, choreography and ages of most of the cast, you wouldn't have expected anything like what was shown.

At the beginning, the director, Stephen Daldry (who directed the film too) came on stage to tell us that they'd never got through the entire show before, and to bear with them in case of any interruptions. As a thankyou, drinks were to be on the house at the interval.

As it turned out, the production was spectacular, and I'd reccomend going to see the show - now! Music was by Elton John, writing by Lee Hall (who also wrote the screenplay). You can book online at www.billyelliotthemusical.com. The show officially opens in early May, but previews are on until then.

posted by Sam @ 23:45