Billy

I have only seen this show twice before, once in the 70s in London with Michael Crawford as Billy, and believe it or not Elaine Paige as Rita (one of Billy's girlfriends) - her credits in the programme had 5 lines - Michael Crawford had 20 lines!!! and in 1993 STOS Theatre Company produced the show at the Lyceum Theatre with a cast of well known Sheffield amateurs.

For any Society to produce this show, they have to know that they have a young performer who can act, sing and dance in abundance to take the part of Billy.  In Joseph Walker HHTC had just the person.  What a performance - he was hardly ever off stage! Congratulations to Gina Townend, as Billy's Mum - no-one would have known that she only had five weeks rehearsal - well done Gina.  John Crowther (Billy's Dad) certainly came across as a grumpy Yorkshireman, and as for Debbie Mather, she was unrecognisable as Gran Fisher and to me that is pure theatre.  Katie Mather (Liz), Danni Hibbert (Rita) and Vicky Haigh (Barbara) portrayed three completely different characters who are trying to sort out their relationships with Billy.  David Jefferson (Councillor Duxbury) in his interpretation of "It were all green hills" certainly made me feel proud to be a Yorkshire person.  The other characters were all well played and the ensemble worked very hard.  The show is not an easy one to produce so congratulations to Adam, Jane Blythe (Assistant Director) and Claire. Also congratulations to Anna for stepping in at the last minute due to illness of the Society's MD.  The scenery design (constructed by the Society) worked very well and helped to make the 15 scene changes look simple.

Keep up the good work!

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