Billy Elliot at the Alhambra Theatre Bradford Review
Billy Elliot
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
10 May to 11 June 2016
Reviewed by Tracey Flintham
What a fantastic evening we had watching Billy Elliot the musical at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford. It was a superb show with an amazing cast and top class performances! The musical is based on the film of the same name with music written by Elton John and tells the story of a young boy growing up in a coal mining community in the North East of England in 1984 during the mining strike.
Billy Elliot attends weekly boxing lesson and after turning up late one week is made to stay late to practice his boxing where he finds himself accidentally involved in a ballet class with Mrs Wilkinson. Despite initially not wanting to be involved, he starts missing his weekly boxing class in order to go to the ballet lesson. Mrs Wilkinson sees great potential in the young boy and wants him to audition for a place at the Royal Ballet School in London. His father is initially embarrassed by his son doing what is perceived as a feminine activity but as the story progresses we see his dad have a change of heart and start to feel pride in his sons talent.
The play captures the tensions of the times brilliantly with scenes depicting the clashes between the miners and the police. There is also lots of humour throughout the play and at times some touching scenes. The set is well designed and changes between the different locations easily and effortlessly and the costumes worn were all iconic of the 1980’s.
The acting of the whole cast was just outstanding, especially Matthew Lyons playing Billy and Samuel Torpey who played Michael. The cast obviously enjoy what they do and received a well-earned standing ovation at the end of the night.
The Alhambra Theatre was easy to find, it is very well signposted from the M606 and we parked at the NCP Southgate car park which was a few minutes walk away. The theatre gives users a ticket for discounted parking so it was just £4 for the evening. There are bars and refreshment counters on various levels of the theatre and show merchandise for sale which includes Cd’s, t-shirts and show programmes. The theatre was clean and tidy throughout the building, there was ample leg room in the stall seats and all the staff we encountered were extremely friendly and helpful.
All in all a wonderful evening.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £21.50 to £64 (booking fees may apply).
Billy Elliot is at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford until 11 June 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01274 432000.
Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ | 01274 432000
