The cast of Billy Elliot the Musical perform a 'Medley' at West End Live in Trafalgar Square on 22nd June, 2013. Billy: Redmand Rance Michael: Zach Atkinson Mrs W: Anna Jane Casey
Just wanted to comment on Cat Hancock's experience re Bradley Perret. My wife and I went to see Billy Elliot in January and when we were told that Bradley was today's Billy we and we had never heard of him we were disappointed. Until he started to dance. He was phenomenal in dance, in ballet, in tap and had a sparkling personality, his smile was infectious and he threw himself totally into the role with amazing energy. We are going back to see it again this Christmas and though we will be more than happy if either of the other Billy's are on that day, we are hoping its Bradley again. Maybe you were just unlucky on the day though I can understand coming from Durham you would notice if the accent is not spot on. But, would anyone apart from a Yorkshire lad really get it spot on? We are from Scotland and even Hollywood actors can't get it right
Thank you for this comment. I myself have seen Bradley Perret as 'Billy' a few times and think he's absolutely fantastic. All the Billys I've seen live have been great, but of the current four, Bradley's portrayal of 'Billy' is spot on for me. I can also assume that when Cat Hancock simply saw a bad show that evening, or perhaps because Bradley had only just started then, he wasn't as comfortable with the part.
Now I feel really cruel on this poor boy because let's face it I could NOT do what he does and I have, upon viewing the website, just noticed he's not even from England let alone the North. But it was Bradley Perret... I must say I will always have some bias because I am from Durham so the accent has to be spot on for me to not criticise as I hear it every day but I understand, particularly with young actors, nobody's perfect. Plus I'm from a ballet background and he clearly wasn't and didn't even do the fabulous pirouettes and spent the majority of his Electricity doing flips and tricks which will never particularly impress me... Also I hadn't seen it for years (since 2006!!) in which I saw two of the original Billys including the incredible Liam Mower... Sorry I've totally gone off on one here I just wanted to justify my criticism rather than being one of those people hiding behind their keyboards 'slagging off' innocent people! For all, to me, he wasn't ideal he really warmed up as the show went on and was fabulous tapping in the finale!
Pisses me off reading through these comments about the sound issues! I myself work as a sound technician and I'll tell you now, a lot of the time the issues are out of our control; be it radio interference or something as simple as a mic being nocked off! I'd like to see some of you do this job
yes. sadly, there were mic issues during anna jane casey's song. very annoying! whoever was in charge of 'sound' at west end live should've checked beforehand.
All the kids have to be excellent to do the job to begin with, but we all have our preferences. I liked Elliott Hanna the most because he is of course a great dancer; but what stood out for me is that he had the "Billy" part down. He showed that little bit of arrogance and roughness that Jamie Bell portrayed in the film. He also (along with Zach Atkinson as Michael in the one I saw) knew how to work an audience.
