 |  | Billy Elliot London Cast Soundtrack |  |
It's bloody brilliant. I'm about to see the NY staging and I wanted to get a taste for the music. Elton John's songs tell the narrative in a powerful and believable way and do a great job of setting the stage for what I hope are incredible dance sequences. Haydn Gwynne is a standout as Mrs. Wilkinson and Ann Emery almost steals the show in one number, "Grandma's Song." Other favorites include "Electricity," performed by the titular character and the deeply moving, "He Could be a Star." Definitely recommend the soundtrack.
November 11, 2008I saw the play in London while I was on vacation two years ago and it was fantastic. The film is great but the music from the play is complely different. If you enjoyed the soundtrack from the film you must hear the cast soundtrack.
June 16, 2008At age 12 I saw the original production of "Oklahoma". Then, yeah God,I saw the orginal "South Pacific, "kiss Me Kate", My Fair Lady", "Mame","Gypsy" AND let me tell you loud and clearly "Billy Elliot, The Musical" is right up there!!! Don't miss it. I saw it in London and can't wait to bring my grandchildren to the N.Y. production.
April 1, 2008It is charitable to call this show mediocre. The music isn't the usual Sir Elton theatrical music dreck. I guess that's a plus. The lyrics are awful. The same words are repeated over and over and over, so the pointed is quickly made, the song goes nowhere. Most of the lyrics are generic. Most of the songs give the impression of being the same length. I hope the show never makes it to Broadway. Stick with the movie!
July 25, 2007 | | Stirring to say the least | |
What a stirring musical! I had heard so much about this musical having seen the film version and knowing a musical adaptation was going to be made. Several people had recommended it after have they had the opportunity to see it on the West End. Also being a huge fan of Elton John, enjoying his pop records as well as his musical ventures, I was really interested in giving this CD a listen...
...and I'm sure glad I did! Again, I'll say it's absolutely stirring. The chorus numbers are probably the most powerful particularly the opening number "The Stars Look Down" which features as a theme several times throughout the score. You can really imagine them filling an entire auditorium.
Liam Mower as Billy has the sweetest most resonating voice. When he sings "The Letter" and his Mum joins in, you are moved to tears. Other great numbers include "Shine" where Haydn Gwynne gives her character of Mrs Wilkinson such a personality. Her voice isn't particularly outstanding but I love her character. It's nice to see characters like Mr Braithwaite being given some personality and filling out Grandma's back story with her own song "Grandma's Song". Other uplifting numbers include "Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher" and "Expressing Yourself".
There is mild language but it adds to the mood of the piece. All in all thoroughly entertaining and I can't wait for it to come to Sydney in 2008!
February 6, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
