QUOTE
In 1984, the British National Union of Mineworkers (the NUM) went on strike to save the coal industry from the threatened closures of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was politically opposed to state-owned industry and determined to crush the unions.
The strike went on for a year. The miners' families had to survive on handouts from other working people who supported their stand. But by employing riot police to intimidate their communities and importing coal from Eastern Europe, the Conservative government broke the unions. Over the subsequent 10 years, the entire industry was dismantled.
The story of Billy Elliot takes place in the coal fields of Northern England, where mining had been the major employer for hundreds of years. In 1984 more than 300,000 men worked in the mining industry; today there are less than 1,000. More than 98 percent of the coal used for British energy is now imported from abroad.
The strike went on for a year. The miners' families had to survive on handouts from other working people who supported their stand. But by employing riot police to intimidate their communities and importing coal from Eastern Europe, the Conservative government broke the unions. Over the subsequent 10 years, the entire industry was dismantled.
The story of Billy Elliot takes place in the coal fields of Northern England, where mining had been the major employer for hundreds of years. In 1984 more than 300,000 men worked in the mining industry; today there are less than 1,000. More than 98 percent of the coal used for British energy is now imported from abroad.
The miners' hatred of Margaret Thatcher was somewhat shocking to me -- even though I live in a time and place where Republicans talk of "second amendment solutions", "Don't retreat -- reload", "It's time to water the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants and patriots"-- lots of coded phrases suggesting violence. There was nothing coded about "Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher" in which the whole community sings about how she's one day closer to the day she dies. Whew!
There were some amazing moments visually. Billy does some wire-work in which he flys high above the stage in a dream sequence. There's a scene which is both a children's ballet class and a battle between riot police and striking miners. They both take place at the same time and in the same place -- carefully choreographed so they don't crash into each other, but simply pass between. Then there's the foggy scene when the miners are returning to work and all have the lights on their hats on. The lights illuminate the fog and Billy Elliot is silhouetted in front of them.
Three boys took turns playing Billy on Broadway and they all earned Tony awards. Five boys from around the world (Switzerland, Australia, U.S.) are playing the role in Minneapolis.
I'm very glad I got to see this!
Carol
