Billy Elliott Live Coming To Cinemas
Billy Elliot the Musical is set to bring cinema goers to their feet when the global stage phenomenon is broadcast from London’s West End to cinemas across Australia for the very first time. The special London performance will be filmed live on September 28 and screened in Australian cinemas nationwide on Sunday October 5 for one day only.
Based on the Academy Award® nominated film, Billy Elliot the Musical has been dazzling London’s theatergoers at the Victoria Palace Theatre since 2005, and has gone on to captivate audiences around the world, winning over 80 theatre awards globally including 10, 2009 Tony Awards® and 5 Olivier Awards.
Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against the odds to make his dream come true. Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.
The internationally celebrated show, which has now been seen by over 9.5 million people worldwide, is brought to life by the multiple award-winning creative team behind the film including writer Lee Hall (book & lyrics), director Stephen Daldry, and choreographer, Peter Darling, joined by music legend Elton John who composed the show’s score.
Elton John said: “Billy Elliot has always had a very special place in my heart and being involved in the musical has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Broadcasting the show live to cinemas is a new venture for all of us and will make for a very special event. It’s going to be a thrilling day for everyone at our home at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London and we hope cinema audiences will be as excited as we are to see Billy Elliot the Musical brought to life for the first time on screen.”
Stephen Daldry said: “Billy Elliot’s journey has been extraordinary. I still remember well our first day on the set of the film almost 16 years ago. It’s incredible to think that next year we will celebrate 10 years of the show in London and that it has been performed to so many millions across five continents. We are thrilled to be sharing this special performance with audiences around the world.”
Lee Hall said: “It will be great to see Billy Elliot achieve another milestone at what is set to be an amazing event. At our home in the West End we usually perform to an audience of 1,500. It is wonderful to think that this special performance will be seen by people in their local cinemas across many countries. This next chapter will be particularly poignant for us as Billy will briefly be returning to his beginnings on the cinema screen.”
On May 12th, Billy Elliot the Musical celebrated its 9th birthday and on the same night welcomed West End star Ruthie Henshall to the cast in the role of Billy’s dance teacher, Mrs Wilkinson, alongside Matteo Zecca (11) who became the 37th boy to play the role of Billy Elliot in London. Matteo joins Mitchell Tobin (13), Bradley Perret (12) and Elliott Hanna (11) who rotate in the title role, Deka Walmsley who plays Billy’s dad Jackie, Ann Emery in the role of Grandma and Chris Grahamson in the role of Billy’s brother, Tony.
Productions of Billy Elliot the Musical have been staged on Broadway, as well as in Sydney, Melbourne, Chicago, Toronto and Seoul, South Korea. The North American touring production, which began in 2010, finished its spectacular run in August 2013 with an engagement in São Paulo, Brazil, the first time Billy Elliot has played in South America. The show will open in the Netherlands in late 2014, and further international productions are currently planned.
Billy Elliot the Musical is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design is by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.
Billy Elliot the Musical is presented in London by Universal Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Tiger Aspect and is based on the Universal Pictures/ Studio Canal film.