Set during the UK Miners' Strike that took place in 1984 and 1985, 'Billy Elliot' is a musical which approaches issues of social disorder, homosexuality, gender roles and family disharmony with the attitude that love - whether it be love for dance, love for a son, or love for social justice - conquers all. Based upon the multi-award winning movie of the same title, 'Billy Elliot the Musical' was written by the movie's screenwriter Lee Hall, with music by Elton John. The movie contained classic music from the period, including The Clash, T.Rex and The Jam, and the musical has continued in this vein - original numbers include 'Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher', 'Born to Boogie', and 'Electricity'.
The story's focus is on eleven-year-old Billy Elliot who is trying to grow up in a town grossly effected by one of the most tumultuous events in modern British history: the miners' strike. Billy, having lost his mother to an undisclosed illness, is sent to boxing lessons by his father in the hopes that it will lead Billy into a successful boxing career. Unsuccessful at his lessons and with no apparent aptitude for physical violence, Billy begins to pay more attention to the ballet lessons taking place in the other half of the hall. Bored with boxing and drawn in by the music, Billy switches to ballet under the watchful eye of Mrs Wilkinson and shows immediate promise.
Mrs Wilkinson's daughter Debbie, who also takes ballet, is upset by Billy's obvious talent and her mother's sudden interest in him and their private lessons. Billy's friend Michael, meanwhile, assumes that Billy's ballet lessons are a sign of homosexuality and reveals that he too is gay. Billy's father and older brother, both miners themselves, are appalled at the possibility of Billy becoming a dancer and being typecast as being homosexual, and angrily demand that he stops his lessons. At the same time, mining strike riots are erupting throughout the town, making it difficult for Billy's father and brother to get to work safely and thus adding to the tension within the household.
Disregarding his father's warnings Billy continues with his lessons. Mrs Wilkinson persuades him to attend an audition for the Royal Ballet School, only to have Billy miss the audition after his brother is arrested for participating in the riots. Frustrated with the social misconceptions that are holding Billy back, Mrs Wilkinson intervenes, telling Billy's father of his son's great talent. After seeing Billy dance for himself he agrees to take Billy to London for another audition. Billy is accepted to the Royal Ballet School and it is implied that he goes on to be a great success, making his father proud and teaching him and the rest of the town a lesson in acceptance.
Opening at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London in March of 2005, 'Billy Elliot' has become one of the most loved of the West End shows, going on to have a successful season in Australia (at Capitol Theatre in Sydney and Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne) and a forthcoming production on Broadway (Imperial Theatre starting October 2008). At present the London show's cast includes Hogan Fulton, Layton Williams, Corey Snide, Trent Kowalik and Josh Fredrick as Billy, Jackie Clune as Mrs Wilkinson, Phil Whitchurch as Billy's Dad and Chris Lennon as Billy's brother Tony.
Auditions for young actors to play the role of Billy are held periodically around the country as the actors who take the role can only perform it for a few years before they look too old. Well received both critically and by the public, the production has been showered with awards, including the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical (2006), Best Actor(s) in a Musical (2006) and Best Choreography in a Musical (2006); the Evening Standard Award (2005); the Theatre Goers Choice Award (2005) and the Critics' Circle Theatre Award 2005.
While shows tend to come and go it would seem that 'Billy Elliot' is set to become one of London theatre's stalwarts, pleasing audiences for many years to come. Bookings are presently being accepted for groups up until the performance date of the 19th of December 2009, and for individuals up until the 11th of April 2009. If you are intending to see the show whilst on holidays in London it is advisable that you book early, however it is possible to get tickets last minute from some outlets. Cheap theatre tickets are harder to come by - the lowest price for tickets available from the box office is for the Grand Circle seating section, with concessions offered for seniors and family bookings.