London - Monday

Producing Artistic Director Rick Lombardo was joined by 11 of New Rep's most enthusiastic patrons on the 2007 London Arts Tour. Here, Bill Brisk keeps us informed on what they are all up to over there.

Monday evening we attended Billy Elliot -- The Musical, a play which Rodney claimed was among the most innovative in London. Others contend that it is the UK's leading musical -- ever. Basically, the story of a 12 year old caught up in his father's and other's protest against the Thatcher plan to close antiquated coal mines and convert the industry into private hands, its humor and pathos are both drawn from the incongruity of a miner's son attracted from boxing to ballet dancing. Elton John's music is immediately accessible without being memorable. 'Solidarity Forever' reverberates constantly. We were privileged to be entertained by an extremely qualified young lad who danced, sang, and acted as well as virtually any adult might. The play ended with a rousing curtain call which incorporated an encore, featuring the dancing not only of the principal but of many of the actors who had previously not danced in the play.



Some discussion afterwards attempted to ponder whether Billy Elliot could be translated directly to the U.S. Rodney pointed out that some of the humor and texture of the play is due to its director's insistence that the 'gordie' accent of Northern Yorkshire be maintained and that many in the U.S. would not be able to relate to a British mine workers strike that occurred some two decades ago. The Full Monty, may be an example of 'translating' such a play to an American audience. We didn't discuss 'Brassed Off' a movie of the same error as Billy Elliot.

Rick's critique of the lyrics was well founded; a number of the songs included only single choruses, leading to repetitions that added little to the narrative of the play. All agreed, however, that we had attended an extraordinary performance of a worthwhile play and that, as a musical, the ply made some trenchant points about past and present politics. In one light moment, a character announces that unfortunately the local M.P. could not attend a union meeting, but he would be ably replaced by a young politician on the rise who was committed to the Socialist cause, Tony Blair.

- Bill Brisk