Billy Elliot the Musical at the Liverpool Empire Review
Reviewed by Jan Mellor
From the moment we arrived at the Liverpool Empire theatre, it was electric. There was a real buzz outside (red carpet!) and inside and the theatre was packed to see Billy Elliot the musical on the latest leg of it UK tour
From the onset with a young boy listening to T-Rex on his ‘ghetto blaster’ the audience were captivated. The first scene showed the mines closing to the backdrop of Margaret Thatcher – and we were back with them in the 1980’s. The scene of the miners singing ‘We stand as one” was very powerful. The scene moved to introduce Billy and his gran whose relationship was obviously one of love. Moving onto the boxing practice (the audience were left ‘in stiches’ with the young boys doing their warm up exercises) and then to excellent choreography with ballerinas and ‘let it shine’. The timing and talent was impeccable and the audience sat transfixed with mouths agape.
I have seen a lot of shows at the theatre but this was at another level. The scene changed to Billy dancing with the ballerinas and then alone and it was magical. This was pure talent and emotions abound. Moving from Billy dancing with Grandma, singing ‘Grandads’ song ‘(with shadows as the backdrop), the following scene with the miners, the police and the ballerinas singing ‘solidarity’ was absolutely timed and performed to perfection – the audience were up on their feet applauding – and the auditorium was in awe. There was quite a lot of ‘bad language’ but it was fitting and was done quite ‘tongue in cheek’. The toilet scene with Billy and Mrs Wilkinson doing ‘ya don’t fancy me do ya miss? had the audience in uproar. Gosh this was good! When Billy discovers his friend Michael wearing a dress the scene explodes to a sensational production of dancing clothes props, flashing lights and exceptional dancing. We sat amazed. Moving to the feuding families with ballerinas dancing in between was nothing but brilliant and then when Billy’s letter from his dead mother is read/sang out, every woman around me (me included) were in floods of tears and then with Mr Braithwaite’s change to dance costume we were crying with laughter. This tugged at all our emotions.
Act 2 continued with a perfect performance of Billy ballet dancing with his own self (older), the miners singing ‘all go together’ and an amazing tap dancing routine that involved the whole cast. These scenes again had the audience out of their seats and screaming their delight. Billy’s rendition of ‘electricity’ was faultless as was the finale with all cast in tutus. An absolutely amazing show!
This has got to be one of the best shows that I and my family has ever seen (it’s pushed CATS off the number 1 slot for me). The audience absolutely loved it. The talent and choreography is unbelievable. The show started at 7.30 and ended at 10.40 (we were so engrossed we missed our train home). You must see this show if you enjoy the theatre. The principle roles are taken by young talent who are only 12/14 years old. The performance moved from scene to scene effortlessly, there was genuine humour and sadness and sheer enjoyment. I would see it again at the drop of a hat. Pure Magic!
The most amazing show we have ever seen!
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £14.90 to £73.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Billy Elliot the muscial is at the Liverpool Empire from 10-27 May 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/liverpool or call the box office on 0844 8713017.
Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1JE | 0844 8713017
