Billy Elliot
Published on 18 June 2009 by Kelly Pentland
A tale of conflict, courage and passion, Billy Elliot the musical is an emotive and engaging theatrical production.
Set in County Durham in the midst of the 1984 miner's strike, a young boy discovers his passion for ballet. As he protests rage, Maggie Thatcher is slated and a working-class community falls into disarray, a little lad keeps dancing. The Billy Elliot musical, based on the 2000 film of Billy Elliot, is the wonderful story of an 11-year-old boy determined to follow his dreams and overcome the prejudices of his society. With lyrics by Lee Hall (who wrote the book and the film's screenplay) and a diverse musical score by Elton John, this show is a must see.
Living with his elderly Grandma who has an abnormal love of pasties and his father, a miner on strike, struggling to keep the household running, things are far from rosy for Billy Elliot. However, when Billy accidentally finds himself in Mrs Wilkinson's ballet class one evening his life takes a turn for the worst but ultimately for the better.
Before Billy has a chance to leave the community centre a group of young girls, complete with fake smiles, tutus and ballet shoes begin prancing across the room, performing animated dance routines. Billy seems way out of his comfort zone, but after a little encouragement from Mrs Wilkinson he soon begins to dance. Nervous at first and with regular proclamations from the lad that he is not a "poof" (a word used frequently throughout the play), it soon becomes clear that Billy has a very special talent. With a touch of comic relief needed after the dark scenes of miners on strike, Billy finishes his first dance fluttering a large, bright-pink feather and our hearts warm.
Throughout the production, Billy faces extreme criticism from his family when they discover he has been dancing - ballet being a far cry from the boxing classes Billy's dad wanted him to attend. As far as Mr Elliot is concerned, in his community men are men, who should be mining or fighting and not dancing. However, with encouragement coming only from his teacher Mrs Wilkinson, Billy pursues his passion with great courage.
Billy's dance scenes are cleverly integrated with those of protest and riots creating an intense atmosphere. This represents how difficult it is for Billy to break away from his grass-roots, from his society, from family and traditions. Mining is the community's bread and butter and change is not taken too kindly. The idea of the pits closing and disrupting the community is hard for Billy's family to handle, as is a boy performing ballet - a talent associated primarily with girls.
One of the most intense performances in the entire production is after Mrs Wilkinson confronts Billy's father, telling him she wants Billy to audition for the Royal Ballet school that very morning. The family reacts negatively shouting a string of vile swear words (which frequent throughout the play). Billy's humiliation and frustration explode into a spectacular dance accompanied by low lighting and dramatic music. The intensity of the scene is incredible as Billy's emotions run high.
Billy Elliot's wish of gaining his father's acceptance is granted after his father sees Billy dance one night. He is so blown away by his boy's talent that he is prepared to become a "scab"; the name given to those people who went to work in the mines during the strike, just so he can afford to take Billy to the Royal Ballet School auditions.
Although we hope Billy will get a place at the school it becomes somewhat irrelevant in comparison to the acceptance he gains from his father. The boy's passion for dance, the "electricity" he feels when he dances ("Electricity" being one of the most memorable songs of the show in terms of both lyrics and melody) and the faith he has in his own talent eventually pay off ending with his father's support. A truly inspiring story of courage, achievement and not giving up on your dreams.
