Review for Billy Elliot & Billy Elliot the Musical

Rating: 7/10 (3 July 2008)

I saw the musical for Billy Elliot the other night and ad to review it. I had also seen the movie recently so I thought it would be a good opportunity to review both. ********* The Movie: Average... Jamie Bell is brilliant and seems to be keeping that up with King Kong and Flags of our Fathers. Julie Walters is as usual, brilliant! The story is dull however as is the writing. The music score was awful. Stephen Daldry did a fairly decent job with the movie. My main problem with the movie is how it tries to mix drama with comedy and in some places it does work but in some places it does not. Overall; 5/10 ********* The Musical: Brilliant! There were four boys who were Billy and the one who was performing on my night was terrific and had a very nice voice as well. The dancing was just as good as the movie if not better and the woman who plays Mrs. Wilkinson reminds me of Julie Walters which is of course a good thing. Simply stunning! Overall; 9/10 ********* You should see both!