OBSERVER: Billy Elliot
Regional Victoria can claim a Billy Elliot the Musical record of having two brothers alternate as Billy during their 12-performance season at the Geelong Arts Centre.
Footlight Productions assembled a truly talented cast and support team that without doubt would rank among the many professional companies in the world.
I say this as I have seen the original London production, the Sydney production, well over a decade ago and followed then by the Melbourne season at the Regent Theatre.
Going back to when it opened in London in 2005 an emotional Elton John, said: “The story of Billy Elliot is very similar to mine, trying to be something out of the ordinary particularly when your father doesn’t approve of the profession you’ve chosen.”
However. it is a very challenging production, so not often performed and certainly not by a Regional Company. Adolescent Billy discovers he has a passion for ballet despite the vehement objections of his family and the derision of his community, a coal mining village in Northern England, at the time of the 1984 Coal Miners Strike in Great Britain.
At my performance Sebastian Sero, being no stranger to the role, was quite exceptional with his vocals, voice and dance while having a very impressive list of productions from the Gold Coast to Perth. His brother Luka the alternate Billy, has just as impressive production credits.
In fact all the cast were well credentialed, performing without fault, Jamie McGuane as Jackie Elliot strong and emotive, Sophie Collins as Mrs Wilkinson scene stealer, and Mandy Calderwood as Grandma a complete performer.
Ian Nash-Gilchrist as Mr Braithwaite, Harrison Coppock as Michael, and Jett Sansom as older brother Tony Elliot were among the many notable performances and apology not being able to mention the other 43 team of actors, ballet girls, all gender ensemble and the four junior boys ensemble, who all gave us a highly charged and complete performance.
Producers Margaret and Peter Wills lengthy production team credits read like a who is who in theatre in the Geelong region, all providing the ultimate in enjoyment and feel-good performance.
Review by Graeme McCoubrie