Ilford Recorder - May 23 2002
Review by Sue Leeman
"Simon is a star - and that's no lie!"
Charisma and charm were the first words I noted on my programme notes at last week's performance of the musical BILLY! by Woodford Operatic and Dramatic Society last week. Those words are good ones to descibe the whole production. But they also fit very well for Simon Lipkin, the shining young star who took the title role. Simon, who is just 16, is on his way to drama school and it seems clear we will be hearing more of him in the future.
His performance was not just surefooted - it soared, and took us with it, full of humour and charm. This is a demanding role - Billy is central through almost every scene of a busy story that clips along at a brisk pace. But Simon was more than master of his material and it was wonderful to see him make so much of Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais' acclaimed script. It was a performance that was never less than watchable: his deft delivery of Billy's glib stand-up routine in the undertaker's office was delightful and his speeches for the mythical Ambrosians packed with both pathos and humour. Simons singing voice is also really special, heard to full effect in Billy's booming, Elvis-style performance at the Roxy club, in the rollicking, humorous Happy to be Ourselves and the more ballady Some of Us belong to the Stars.
John Barry and Don Black's musical, based on Keith Waterhouse novel Billy Liar, involves a lively Yorkshire lad who invents a fantasy life in order to escape his nagging parents and dull job in a funeral parlour. One fantasy features the mythical land of Ambrosia, where Billy is hailed as a national hero for his daring exploits. Another transforms his working class family into cut-glass toffs. And then there is a Marilyn Monroe in his bedroom wardrobe. But when the chance comes to escape to London, Billy is too afraid to take it. And there lies much of the dramatic tension - and humour.
Billy is a one of those engaging characters you just can't help liking, full of schemes and possessed of the gift of the gab - particularly with girls. In the absence of his true love, Liz, he has acquired no less than two fiancees, dowdy Barbara and tarty Rita. Here too, WOADS casting personnel chose well. Jane Pavett was a sparkling, vivacious, stand-out-from-the-crowd Liz and Jackie Long was wonderful as the dumpy, yet chirpy, little Barbara. Alex Hughes who also did the choreography, pulled out all the stops for the flouncy Rita.
One of the highlights for me was when all three performed the haunting title song with Simon. Pauline Thorogood was wonderfully shrill as Billy's mum Alice and Martyn Stewart was impressively disgruntled as his father, Geoffrey. Norma Jones gave a neat little cameo performance as Billy's gran. I liked Malcolm Woodfield's understated performance as Councillor Duxbury and his touching rendition of the nostalgic It were all Green Hills. John Gardener had the right sepulchral air for a funeral parlour owner as Shadrack, while Daniel Hossack gave an engaging performance as Billy's sidekick, Arthur. Holly McCrossin looked the part of Marilyn Monroe, and simpered accordingly but her performance needed just a tad more oomph. A good set by Grant Alvarez was nicely lit by Rob Mitchell-Gears and accompanied by an accomplished group of musicians under the baton of the talented Steven Day. Congratulations to director James Meehan and WOADS for a grand night out.
Wanstead and Woodford Guardian - May 23 2002
Review by Phyl Romerill
There is only one character who matters in Billy and he has to be good to warrant a musical adaption of the classic play Billy Liar. Young Simon Lipkin aged 16 was a great deal better than good. The title role is an enormous one, hardly ever off the stage and what he had to offer far exceeded expectations. He acted, sang and danced to a standard which was amazing. His talents should take him far. Such was the power of his performance that I am afraid the valiant support from the rest of the company tended to be overlooked. We all know about Billy, his dreams, the make-believe world he lives in and his juggling with three girlfriends.
A lot of humour is attached to the various scrapes he gets into, all of which he happily tosses aside until he has to make a real decision. The three girls have their different personalities. Jane Pavett, Jacqueline Long and Alexandra Hughes played their parts well, the former being the only one who fully understands what's going on in Billy's mind. Rita was the most outlandish in style and character and it suited the role. Musical numbers backed by the usual dance routines were a great success.
I warmed to Remembering, Happy to be Ourselves and Some of us belong to the stars. Malcolm Woodfield was a solid, reliable councillor and young Peter Smith keenly observed his elders and followed the action with enthusiasm. The innumerable scene changes intruded on the concentration, otherwise it was a lively, humberous, thought provoking, well sung musical display. Musical director was Steven Day, James Meehan was director.