A confession: sometimes I lazily assume that all long-running West End musicals are soulless corporate juggernauts unworthy of my attention. A revelation: ‘Billy Elliott’, one year on, is an electrifying, ballsy, compassionate and political show. Musicals tend to tell stories of individual triumph. It would have been easy for Lee Hall and Elton John’s show to use Billy’s individual ballet-dancing success to absolve his Durham community’s wider distress in the midst of the 1984 miners’ strike. But Stephen Daldry’s production is as much about the community’s struggle as Billy’s. ‘It’s everybody’s future, it’s everybody’s past,’ as one lyric has it. ‘It’s not about a bairn who wants to dance.’
The show’s even more notable achievement is to keep the miners’ doomed campaign entertaining and inspiring, without soft-soaping it. We’re shown the in-fighting, we’re shown the narrow-mindedness - which leads to Billy being thought a ‘poof’ for harbouring dance ambitions. But we’re also shown a group of working class people who look out for one another; a communitarianism that Thatcher (the butt of a gleefully abusive song) and later Blair (who crops up here preaching socialism - ho ho! - to a miners’ welfare club) would do their best to destroy. What Billy says about ballet, one might equally say about the ‘solidarity’ of which his people sing: ‘it’s like forgetting who you are and at the same time something makes you whole.’
Meanwhile, Billy’s story - notwithstanding the success of the film - has really found its medium in this musical. His whole journey - from hope through frustration to his dreams being realised - can now be expressed through dance. The closing sequence to Act One, when Billy’s claustrophobia is manifested in a furious tap-dance directed against a wall of police riot shields, is awesomely powerful. Colin Bates is a spirited Billy and Philip Whitchurch touching as the dad who swallows his prejudices to support his kid. Perhaps Billy’s cross-dressing pal Michael, singing ‘what’s wrong with expressing yourself?’ in high heels and a cocktail dress, is stretching things a bit. But at least it’s theatrical, and humane and funny, like much else in this marvellous British musical.
The young cast portrayed the contrasting characters of this "farce" brilliantly!! The energy was clearly there for all to see. The transition from scene to scene was cleverly done by a very talented set of actors. WELL DONE to all involved. I couldn't stop laughing!!!
slightly biased because i am related to charlie (hook) . . . but we loved it and thought all the cast were great. a very funny evening had by all concerned. thanks to everybody.
how odd! I went a couple of days ago, and the play I saw bore little relation to the review - it was funny in places but the hamming smothered the charm of such a slight piece. we left half way through. I wrote a review for this page which went up and then... was removed! what's with the censorship, time out?? having only positive comments rather negates the function of feedback, doesn't it?
Totally hilarious!! I've seen several plays at the Highgate and this is by far and away the best! The audience was in stitches from start to finish. It's so nice to see a play that isn't trying to be overly clever or worthy and is just about pure entertainment and comedy.
The cast is superb, each one of them shines in their own way and the physical comedy, particularly among the men, is fantastic.
If you want a great night out with belly laughs galore, look no further than Thark!
Great show right from the start we were entertained by the energy, enthusiasm and professionalism displayed by the young cast. The movement on stage flowed and the sound and lighting was superb and well co-ordinated. A very entertaining production well done to all involved.
Hilarious ! I was laughing more and more as it went on, I've never seen that much energy on a stage before ! The journey from west ealing was really worth it !
Glad I got back from France just in time !!!
Thoroughly enjoyed the production, energy and timing of the young cast were excellent. It was well worth the journey from West London to Highgate. Well done everyone.
Went to see Thark after a particularly bad day but left the theatre with a grin on my face and perfectly happy. I totally agree with the article about the 'fits of giggles'. I couldn't help myself.
24 comments
The young cast portrayed the contrasting characters of this "farce" brilliantly!! The energy was clearly there for all to see. The transition from scene to scene was cleverly done by a very talented set of actors. WELL DONE to all involved. I couldn't stop laughing!!!
slightly biased because i am related to charlie (hook) . . . but we loved it and thought all the cast were great. a very funny evening had by all concerned. thanks to everybody.
how odd! I went a couple of days ago, and the play I saw bore little relation to the review - it was funny in places but the hamming smothered the charm of such a slight piece. we left half way through. I wrote a review for this page which went up and then... was removed! what's with the censorship, time out?? having only positive comments rather negates the function of feedback, doesn't it?
I think it's the biggest and the best.....
several people have reviewed via your site, but none appaer...
Totally hilarious!! I've seen several plays at the Highgate and this is by far and away the best! The audience was in stitches from start to finish. It's so nice to see a play that isn't trying to be overly clever or worthy and is just about pure entertainment and comedy.
The cast is superb, each one of them shines in their own way and the physical comedy, particularly among the men, is fantastic.
If you want a great night out with belly laughs galore, look no further than Thark!
The short chap was excellent!
Great show right from the start we were entertained by the energy, enthusiasm and professionalism displayed by the young cast. The movement on stage flowed and the sound and lighting was superb and well co-ordinated. A very entertaining production well done to all involved.
Hilarious ! I was laughing more and more as it went on, I've never seen that much energy on a stage before ! The journey from west ealing was really worth it !
Glad I got back from France just in time !!!
Thoroughly enjoyed the production, energy and timing of the young cast were excellent. It was well worth the journey from West London to Highgate. Well done everyone.
Hilarious - the play just got better and better as it went on.
It was moderately amusing, but the dancing was awful.
Went to see Thark after a particularly bad day but left the theatre with a grin on my face and perfectly happy. I totally agree with the article about the 'fits of giggles'. I couldn't help myself.
Five Star ***** !!!!!
A FANTASTIC production!!!
Hands down one of the best plays i've seen in a long time. If you want to see an extremely entertaining time you have to get down there ! a must see !