A Moment with Ashley Wells

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A few blog posts ago, we got a glimpse into the involvement of some of the creative team members for the original production of  BILLY ELLIOT. However, where would #LyricsBILLYELLIOT be without the work of our LOCAL creative team?

In this linked video, BILLY ELLIOT Director Ashley Wells gives patrons a glimpse of what it’s like to bring a big show like BILLY ELLIOT together. One thing’s for sure- there is a lot of collaboration! In the video, Ashley gives a shout out to a few members of the creative team that she collaborates with individually. Like Ashley indicates, the testament to the work of the show is a direct reflection of the amount of teamwork that went into them.

You can read some other interesting comments Ashley made about the show below.

Every director has a vision for their shows, and a point of view on the stories that they choose. What about BILLY ELLIOT made it a unique story for you?

There are all kinds of stories about young boys wanting to do something different than what they’re already doing; and I think what is really interesting about this particular story is The United Kingdom’s Miner Strike of 1984. That is the backdrop of this whole story and so it creates a very interesting tension to the story and what is happening within Billy Elliot’s family- as to why it might be difficult for him to go off and try something new (instead of just being a miner- which is what he grew up doing). I think that creates a very interesting tension in the story.

Speaking of tension, does that also create a certain type of mood in the musical?

Yes. Yes it does. You’d think that it’s a “downer” show, but it isn’t because it’s actually very hopeful. … This is a hope-filled show and the ideals behind it are actually very uplifting; even though all of the surrounding stuff that’s happening around this family is actually very sad, and not that great.

Is that one of the reasons why you chose this musical- because it had that message of hopefulness?

Oh absolutely. That and the dancing.

 

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