Thursday evening, April 9th, 2009 was a special evening. We went to the theatre in London. A very pleasant evening for everyone. The students were able to choose between two different musicals. The majority went to see Billy Elliot and a small group chose to see Mamma Mia. I hope many students will send me their opinion of the play they saw....perhaps after the summer holidays?
First, Melanie writes:
I had never seen the film 'Billy Elliot'. I knew only that it was about a boy who lived in England during the Miners' Strike of the 1980's and that he loved ballet. People had told me it was very good but I did not really expect much from the musical version we saw in London. How wrong I was. It's absolutely wonderful and deserves all of the many awards [prizes] it has won. It's moving, evoking as it does the desperation of the coal mining communities in England at the time. But it's also optimistic and hopeful as it ends with Billy leaving to fulfil his dreams of being a dancer. It's a show that makes you laugh, makes you cry, the dancing takes your breath away and the talent of the child - and adult - actors is remarkable. In other words, I loved it! And I'm sure that the UIAD students who saw it with us, whatever their level of English, loved it too.
Melanie
