First thing's first. Let's try and put this into some sort of perspective.
Billy Elliot is one of the modern masterpieces of British cinema. Originally debuting on the big screen almost 17 years ago, the film stars Jamie Bell as an 11-year-old aspiring dancer, dealing with the negative stereotyping of males. His coal miner father and bullying older brother initially try and push him away from his dream and his ballet teacher - the only positive female role model in Billy's life - ultimately helps him pursue it.
With it's gritty, Geordie charm and hard hitting subject matter, the story was (somewhat ironically!) adapted for the West End stage as Billy Elliot The Musical in 2005 adding 10 Tony and 5 Olivier awards to the films 3 BAFTA's and the same number of Oscar nominations.
In other words, it's kind of a big deal!
Part of me, however, wondered how well this story would translate to the stage and whether, even if the show was good, it would have ultimately lost some of the magic that I remember from the film version. Thankfully, the answer is no.
If you take one single sentiment from this entire review, let it be this. The UK tour of Billy Elliot is, quite simply, a mind-blowing MASTERCLASS in musical theatre. From the opening bars to the curtain falling at the end, an almost faultless production awaits you - in fact my fingers feel they can't do justice to just how b****y amazing this show is.
As can always be a risk with a touring show, you can often find compromise in comparison to the West End equivalents. Whether that's set alterations, staging or lighting, there are generally some elements you just cannot take on the road.
However Billy Elliot The Musical doesn't appear to subscribe to the need to scale down, with stunning set, outstanding lighting and staging and choreography which is so beautifully executed, it's an absolute joy to watch in its own right.
Then we come to the cast, who are absolutely one of the best musical theatre casts I've ever seen.
Annette McLaughlin plays a suitably dry dance teacher; Mrs Wilkinson, with a comparable style to Julie Walters in the equivalent role on screen. Scott Garnham and Martin Walsh both excel as Billy's brother and father respectively - however it's the young cast who are the real stars of this piece.
All 4 main young leads are on a rotating basis throughout the tour. Our Michael and Debbie (Elliot Stiff and Lilly Cadwallader) are confident, funny, sassy and charming in their roles and are clearly destined for bigger things. However it's West Bromwich boy, Lewis Smallman, who absolutely steals the show in the titular role.
It is completely impossible to over exaggerate how talented this young actor is. From his acting skills to his dancing and singing prowess, Lewis Smallman IS Billy, through and through and gave a performance tonight that was equal to that which scored Jamie Bell a BAFTA.
His rendition of the most recognisable song from the shows beautiful soundtrack; 'Electricity', was perfection and earned him applause lasting almost 2 minutes. It was evident from his face how chuffed he was to get that reaction in his home city.
The show received a standing ovation at the end - which almost didn't seem enough for a production which has some of the most awesome staging and lighting in British theatre at the moment, plus a plot which makes you roll around laughing one minute and sit there as an emotional wreck the next.
Billy Elliot The Musical is everything you could ever want from this type of production - and more. It's a must see on any theatre fan's to do list and the highest praise I can throw upon it, is that I don't want to see it again.
What I mean by that, is I don't need to see it again because it gave me everything I needed in my first encounter and at no point did it underwhelm. It will leave you riding on a high for days to come.
