BACK STAGE with Billy: Recent Episodes
Billy Belford
Hello and Welcome to Back Stage with Billy ..
My interviews and reviews are used for Tv and Film
@backstagebilly
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From the powerhouse creative team directed by Jordan Fein (Oklahoma, Young Vic), choreographed by Julia Cheng (Cabaret), designed by Tom Scutt (Winner of the 2025 Olivier Award for Fiddler On The Roof).
t’s 1905 in the tiny village of Anatevka Tevye, a Jewish milkman, lives his life by their proud traditions. For his five daughters, that means a visit from the matchmaker. As each daughter challenges his beliefs, against the backdrop of a changing world, can Tevye hold on to his roots, or must he bend to the will of his children and learn to embrace the unfamiliar?
One of the greatest musicals of all time featuring, ‘If I Were A Rich Man’, ‘Tradition’, ‘Matchmaker’ and ‘Sunrise, Sunset’, this classic musical of joy and community is an exuberant celebration of love and life.
Join Juliet on this sensational journey of self-discovery and second chances, told through some of the most glittering pop anthems of the last three decades from legendary songwriter Max Martin, including …Baby One More Time, Since U Been Gone, Roar, Everybody (Backstreet's Back), Love Me Like You Do and Can’t Feel My Face.
& Juliet is the hilariously irreverent new musical that proves when it comes to love, there’s always life after Romeo…
tickets
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/and-juliet/opera-house-manchester/
An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical
Prepare to be swept off your feet with An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical, based on the award-winning 80s movie. This timeless story of love, courage, and redemption will make your heart soar and leave you breathless, longing for more.
Be part of the emotional journey of Zack Mayo, a fearless young officer candidate, and the captivating Paula Pokrifki, whose fiery spirit matches his own. Their encounters ignite a spark that transcends boundaries, awakening a passionate love that defies all odds.
With every note, every step, and every heartfelt ballad, immerse yourself in this romantic masterpiece. Set to a smash-hit soundtrack featuring the songs of Madonna, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Blondie, and many more, the power of music will carry you through the highs and lows of their extraordinary love story, including the award-winning (Love Lift Us) Up Where We Belong.
An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical
All your prayers have been answered with a stunning cast, including Coronation Street legend Sue Cleaver as Mother Superior and West Endstar Landi Oshinowo as Deloris, everyone’s favourite nun on the run!
nce upon a time in the late ’80s, Vivian met Edward and her life changed forever. Be swept up in their romance in this dazzlingly theatrical take on a love story for the ages – and get to know these iconic characters in a whole new way – in a sensational show that took London’s West End by storm, guaranteed to lift your spirits and light up your heart.
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/i-should-be-so-lucky/opera-house-manchester/
Head from the aisle to the isles in the official Stock Aitken Waterman musical featuring the soundtrack of a generation with music from pop royalty including Kylie Minogue (I Should Be So Lucky), Rick Astley (Never Gonna Give You Up), Jason Donovan(Especially for You), Bananarama (Love In The First Degree) and more, all intertwined in an original story of love, laughter and last-minute getaways!
It’s big… it’s bright… it's a brand-spanking new production of ‘the original showbiz musical,' 42nd Street, starring Samantha Womack as Dorothy Brock, alongside Michael Praed as Julian Marsh, Faye Tozer as Maggie Jones, Les Dennis as Bert Barry and Nicole-Lily Baisden as Peggy Sawyer.
https://youtu.be/wH6f-ak2rgQ?si=x1u7yDiDpPFfINru
*Craig Revel Horwood will perform the role of ‘Miss Hannigan’ at Monday – Friday performances only. Cast and performance schedule subject to change without notice.
*The appearance of any member of cast is subject to change and may be affected by contracts, holiday, illness, or events beyond the producers' control. Age Recommendation: 5+. This production contains repetitive flashing lights and visual effects, pyrotechnics, theatrical smoke and haze, and loud sound effects.
*Craig Revel Horwood will perform the role of ‘Miss Hannigan’ at Monday – Friday performances only. Cast and performance schedule subject to change without notice.
*The appearance of any member of cast is subject to change and may be affected by contracts, holiday, illness, or events beyond the producers' control. Age Recommendation: 5+. This production contains repetitive flashing lights and visual effects, pyrotechnics, theatrical smoke and haze, and loud sound effects.
Starring the West End’s Annalene Beechey and Broadways Darren Lee, The King and I is the greatest musical from the golden age of musicals – with one of the finest scores ever written including Whistle a Happy Tune and Shall We Dance.@KingandIWestEnd
https://kingandimusical.co.uk
Join the West End and Broadway smash-hit musical Rock Of Ages on their Farewell Tour in 2023 -
After many long months rockin’ out across the UK it’s finally time for the guitars, the wigs, the bourbon, the eyeliner and the Fogmaster 5000 to get packed away and sent back to the 80’s.
You Loved Them For A Reason. Now, for the first time, you can see this sensational new musical and relive one of the world’s biggest ever boybands. THE OSMONDS: A new musical tells the official story from Jay Osmond about the five brothers from Utah who were pushed into the spotlight as children and went on to create smash hits decade after decade.
The Cher Show is a jukebox musical with a book by Rick Elice that tells the story of the early life and career of Cher. The musical had its world premiere at the Oriental Theatre, Chicago, on June 12, 2018, and opened on Broadway in December 2018. The Original Cast Album was released on digital platforms on April 12, 2019, and was released to physical CD on May 10, 2019. The Cher Show played its final Broadway performance on August 18, 2019. An overhauled production launched from the Leicester Curve in April 2022, before embarking on a UK tour.
Journey back to the glamour of Hollywood during the roaring 20’s. Silent movie star Don Lockwood has it all, a string of hit films and a studio-engineered romance with the most beautiful actress in town. What Don doesn’t know is that the silver screen is about to find its voice, and a chance meeting with a talented young chorus girl set to steal his heart promises to change both Don, and Hollywood, forever.
High-energy choreography and sumptuous set design (including over 14,000 litres of water on stage every night) combine with the charm, romance and wit of one of the world’s best- loved films. Singin’ in the Rain features the glorious MGM score including Good Morning, Make ‘em Laugh, Moses Supposes and the legendary Singin’ in the Rain.
The Addams Family
Everyone's favourite kooky family are back on stage in this spectacular musical comedy from the writers of multi award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, with music and lyrics by TONY AWARD nominated Andrew Lippa and starring Joanne Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing and The Rocky Horror Show) as Morticia.
Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, is all grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows. She's fallen in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family. With his cherished Morticia in the dark, will Gomez manage to keep his daughter’s secret until the two families meet for a fateful dinner with hilarious consequences?
Join them, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley and more for a heart-warming story of love, family and friendship… with a twist!
Featuring a live orchestra and extraordinary original score THE ADDAMS FAMILY is sure to entertain whether you are 12 or 312!
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/disneys-beauty-and-the-beast/palace-theatre-manchester/
Beauty & the Beast
Disney proudly invites you to ‘Be Our Guest’ as the most enchanted musical of all time, Beauty and the Beast, returns to the UK stage in 2022.
Set in Willy Russell's native Liverpool, this international smash hit musical tells the captivating tale of twin boys, separated at birth only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother's haunting secret. When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again
BackStage with Billy
My Review of Bat Out Hell - Kim Steimans Rock Opera
Currently the show is at the Manchester Opera House until October 2020
Set in the 1930s Berlin, the musical tells the story of the seedy Kit Kat Klub and the relationship between American writer Cliff Bradshaw and English cabaret performer Sally Bowles.
Interview with the cast HOME & Bourgeois and Maurice presents Insane Animals
Making its world premiere at HOME, Insane Animals is an epic joyride from the dawn of civilisation to the sequinned near future. With the planet in chaos and humanity hurtling towards extinction, two hyper-glam aliens arrive on earth with a simple mission: to help the human species survive. But first they just have to figure out what makes humans human… how hard can it be?
On this Podcast - I talk about the show Cabaret starring Jon Partridge .
The Show was at the Iconic Palace Theatre MANCHESTER
This is my Conversation with the Creator of Back to the Future BOB GALE ..
We talk about the Back to the Future movies and the stage show Back to the Future - the musical.
Feb 2020