As one of the songs in this musical aptly puts it - Billy Elliot ' Shines '. And so does Director Stephen Daldry who has another hit on his hands. Many have wondered and now it can be said - the stage version is every bit as good as the film.

For me it has been at least ten years since I'd heard such a great score from a British musical. The credit goes to Lee Hall who wrote the book and to Elton John who wrote the music (the perfect guy to write a song about dressing up). The score has me very excited for the release of the CD.

I went to see the show on the 2nd preview night. Liam Mower played Billy Elliot. He danced and sang throughout the whole show with such professionalism that it was hard to believe he is only 12 years old. I am sure the other two boys who play Billy - James Lomas and George Maguire - are just as good and I will be able to confirm that when I go back to see the show again and again. I am very proud of this new generation of performers who bring such promise of great things for the West End.

The entire cast is tremendous. Haydn Gwynne was brilliantly cast as the teacher Mrs. Wilkinson. Her acting is so touching and real, and she has such an amazing voice, that one wonders where she has been hiding all these years. Tim Healy was perfectly cast as Billy's dad and proved a wonderful dramatic actor. Ann Emery played the Grandma. I am glad to see a musical giving more mature artists the chance to shine in solo spots. Grandma Elliot sang a very humourous song about her past and her husband (which tips you off as to where Billy gets his desire to dance). During Previews, changes often are made to the production. I can only say, please don't cut Grandma's song!! In fact, don't cut any of the songs. Perhaps a bit of tidying up the last goodbye scene between Billy and Grandma might be in order though.

Another thing I like about the show is that everyone has a show stopper moment. Who can forget the cross dressing kid Michael ( Brad Cavanaugh ) whose comic timing and tap dancing are astounding for an actor so young - wow what a pro!

Peter Darling, who choreographed the production, did so with pizzazz. There were so many wonderful dance scenes. I particularly liked the dream sequence of Billy and the grown up Billy ( Isaac James ). It has a little touch of ISO (a dance company) style with Billy dancing/flying up and down the stage. And the dance scene with Mrs. Wilkinson and all her plump little girl dancers in their tutus and feathers was quite funny and very entertaining.

Speaking of tutus, great costumes designed by Nicky Gillibrand; as well as marvelous lighting by Rick Fisher and a fabulous set by Ian Macneil. Every bit of the set design is just right, not a bit over the top. One favorite set piece of mine was the revolving stair case which I thought very effective and versatile.

One last note on the production - the £4 spent on the programme is a steal. It's mega-size and full of page after page of detail and fantastic photos of this unforgettable musical theatre experience.

I have a feeling we will all be seeing Billy Elliot many times and it is destined for a world tour. Just don't forget it started here in the UK - 100% British made!