Billy Elliot the Musical

Billy Elliot
West End Poster
Music	Elton John
Lyrics	Lee Hall
Book	Lee Hall
Basis	2000 Film Billy Elliot
Productions	2005 West End 2007 Australia 2008 Broadway
Awards	Olivier Award for Best New Musical Tony Award for Best Musical

Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall (who wrote the film's screenplay). The musical revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle and fulfillment are balanced against a counter-story of family and community strife caused by the UK miners' strike (1984–1985) in County Durham. Hall's screenplay was inspired in part by A. J. Cronin's novel, The Stars Look Down, and the musical's opening song is an homage.^[1]

The musical opened in London's West End in 2005 and was nominated for nine Laurence Olivier Awards, winning four including Best New Musical. The success of Billy Elliot the Musical has led to productions in Australia, on Broadway and elsewhere. In New York, it won ten Tony Awards and ten Drama Desk Awards, including, in each case, best musical. It has also won numerous awards in Australia including a record-tying seven Helpmann Awards.

Productions

West End

The work premiered in March 2005 at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London, where it is still showing; it reportedly cost £5.5 million to make (the original film version cost $5 million).^[2] The producers were Working Title Films, Old Vic Productions Plc and David Furnish. It was directed by Stephen Daldry and choreographed by Peter Darling, as was the original film. Liam Mower, James Lomas and George Maguire were the original actors who alternated the title role, and the supporting cast included Haydn Gwynne as Mrs. Wilkinson and Tim Healy as Billy's father. Ian MacNeil designed the sets, Nicky Gillibrand designed the costumes, and Rick Fisher designed the lighting. The original cast album was released on 10 January 2006. The musical received favourable reviews: the Daily Telegraph's Charles Spencer called it "the greatest British musical I have ever seen", and The Daily Mail thought it "a theatrical masterpiece".^[3]

It won four Laurence Olivier Awards: Best New Musical, Best Actor (awarded jointly to James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - the boys who played Billy Elliot), Best Sound design and Best Choreographer. It also won the Evening Standard Award as well as the Critics Circle Award and the Theatregoers Choice Award - all for Best Musical.^[4]

On 12 May 2006, the three original Billys (Lomas, Maguire and Mower) appeared in a final show together to celebrate the show's first anniversary. The three rotated the role during the performance and were joined at the end by Sir Elton John.^{[citation needed]} When the musical celebrated its third anniversary in London, the newly-cast Billys for the Broadway production danced to “Electricity”.^{[citation needed]}

Australia

The musical opened at Sydney's Capitol Theatre on 13 November 2007, directed by Daldry in association with Julian Webber, and choreographed by Darling.^[5] Rhys Kosakowski, Lochlan Denholm, Rarmian Newton, and Nick Twiney alternated in the title role. The production earned good notices, and in January 2008 it won Best Musical at the 2008 Sydney Theatre Awards.^[6] The show also won seven Helpmann Awards including the awards for Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Actress (Genevieve Lemon as Mrs. Wilkinson) and Best Actor, awarded jointly to the four boys who played Billy Elliot (Rhys Kosakowski, Nick Twiney, Lochlan Denholm and Rarmian Newton).^[7] The production concluded in Sydney on 9 November 2008 with all eight Sydney Billy Elliots in the finale and transferred to Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre, opening on 13 December 2008.^[8] The Melbourne season is scheduled conclude on 14 June 2009 after an extremely successful run.^{[citation needed]}

Broadway

The Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre on 1 October 2008 in previews and officially on 13 November 2008.^[9] The London production's creative team directed and designed the Broadway production.^[4] The title role was rotated among three young actors, David Álvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik, the last of whom had played the role in London.^[10] The supporting cast included Haydn Gwynne, reprising her role of Mrs. Wilkinson in the original London production, and Gregory Jbara as Billy's father. On 10 February 2009, Tommy Batchelor was added as a new Billy, but Tanner Pflueger transferred from the London production to fill in for Batchelor, who is having surgery on his wrist.^{[citation needed]} The original three boys in the lead role jointly won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.

Like the original London production, the Broadway production received rave reviews:^[11] Time called it a "triumph", critic Liz Smith termed it "breathtakingly brilliant" and "absolutely, unequivocally awesome", the Daily News said it was "so exhilarating that at times you feel like leaping",^[12] the New York Post said it was "almost like being in love" and termed it "amusing, perfect and passionate" and "the best show you will ever see", and the Los Angeles Times called it a "global theatrical phenomenon".^[13] It has also been very financially successful, with $20 million taken in advance ticket sales.^[11] The production received fifteen Tony Award nominations, tying with The Producers for the most nominations ever received by a Broadway show,^[14] winning ten.

Chicago

The musical is scheduled to open in Chicago in March 2010 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre. According to producer Eric Fellner, the musical "will be here until such time as Chicago says 'go away'.... We can only do one production at once," and other North American cities will have to wait until the Chicago production runs its course.^[15] One of the three Billy's is Tommy Batchelor, who is currently in the Broadway production. He will be leaving Broadway on 11 December 2009 to start training for Chicago.

Korea

The musical is also scheduled to open in the summer of 2010 at the LG Arts Center in Seoul, Korea.

Synopsis

Act I

In County Durham, during the 1984-85 coal miners' strike, motherless eleven-year-old Billy inadvertently finds his way out of his boxing practice and as the only boy in a ballet class run by Mrs. Wilkinson and becomes attracted to the grace of the dance. While his brother, father and neighbours are on strike and clash with riot police, he continues to take dance lessons, keeping it a secret from his family. Billy forms a friendship with Mrs. Wilkinson’s daughter Debbie.

The boxing coach informs Billy's dad that the boy hasn't been to practice in months, and Mr. Elliot erupts, realising Billy has spent the money he gave his son for boxing on something else. When he discovers where his son has been, he storms into the ballet class and forbids Billy from attending and Mrs. Wilkinson, who is supportive of the boy, from teaching him. Mrs. Wilkinson, recognising Billy's talent, privately suggests he come to the studio for free solo lessons, and he improves to a level beyond that of the rest of the class. Eventually, she encourages him to audition for the Royal Ballet School in London. Billy's best friend Michael is beginning to grasp he is homosexual. He persuades Billy to have fun with him by dressing up in woman's clothing and disdaining the restrictive inhibitions of their working class community. Meanwhile, Billy's father and brother Tony are engaged in daily battles with riot police that often turn bloody. They struggle to support the family with very little in strike and union pay, a difficult task that goes on for nearly a year.

When the day of the Royal Ballet School audition comes, Mrs. Wilkinson arrives to pick up Billy. However, his family and some members of the community have gathered at the Elliot home, and she is forced to reveal that she has been teaching Billy ballet in preparation for this very day. This news upsets Billy’s father and Tony, who pushes the boy around, calls him names and embarrasses him in front of everyone. This setback sends Billy into a rage, and for nearly a year he stays away from everything related to ballet.

Act II

At Christmas time in the community centre, the children put on a show disparaging Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who is seen as the antagonist by the coal miners. Billy's father gets drunk and sings an old folk song that elicits memories of his deceased wife and the usually stoic man leaves in tears. Left alone with Billy in the Community Centre, Michael reveals he has feelings for him, but Billy explains that although he likes ballet, he is not gay. Nonetheless, he lets Michael give him a kiss on the cheek. Michael leaves, and Billy feels like dancing for the first time since the day of the aborted audition. From the door, his father watches Billy's dance routine and, overcome with emotion, he goes to Mrs. Wilkinson’s house to discuss Billy’s prospects as a dancer. She confirms Billy's talent, but is not sure whether or not he would get into the Royal Ballet School. They discuss the cost of tuition, an amount well beyond Mr. Elliot's means. He leaves questioning his working-class pride and the future mining has for his boys.

Mr. Elliot decides the only way to help Billy is to return to work. When Tony sees his father cross the picket line, he becomes infuriated and the two argue over what is more important: unity of the miners or helping Billy achieve his dream. The argument eventually comes to blows and Billy is hit accidentally. One by one, the miners side with Billy's quest and offer the boy their strike pay, but Billy still can’t afford the bus fare to London. A strike-breaker offers him hundreds of pounds from his wage, and an enraged Tony throws the money on the floor and runs off.

Billy and his father arrive at the Royal Ballet School for the audition. While Mr. Elliot waits outside, an upper-crust Londoner highlights the contrast between the Elliots and the families of the other applicants. Mr. Elliot meets a dancer with a thick Northern accent. The dancer confesses that his father does not support his ballet career. He sharply advises Mr. Elliot to "get behind" his boy. Billy nervously finishes the audition with a sinking feeling that he did not do well. As he packs his gear, he lets that emotion overwhelm him, and he punches another auditioner in the face. The audition committee reminds Billy of the strict standards of the school. They have received an enthusiastic letter from Mrs. Wilkinson explaining Billy's background and situation, and they ask him to describe what he feels when he dances. Billy responds with a heartfelt declaration of his passion.

Back in Durham, the Elliots resume life as usual. Billy receives a letter from the school and informs everyone he wasn't accepted. Tony retrieves the letter from the waste bin and discovers that his brother was accepted. At the same time, the miners have decided to return to work resigned to the fact they are a part of a dying industry and a withering community. Billy says goodbye to the miners, Mrs. Wilkinson (thanking her for everything she did to help him) and Debbie, who will miss him. Michael arrives to say goodbye, and Billy gives him a kiss on the cheek.

Musical numbers

Awards and nominations

Sign in West End

The West End production was nominated for nine 2006 Laurence Olivier Awards and won four, including Best New Musical. At age thirteen, Liam Mower was the youngest actor to win the award, and the actors were the first to win the award in a shared capacity. Lomas, Maguire, and Mower also jointly received the Theatre Goers' Choice Award 2005 for The Most Promising Newcomer. The production also won The Evening Standard Award 2005, among others.^[16]

The Broadway production received 15 Tony Award nominations in 2009, tied with The Producers for the most nominations ever received by a single show.^[14] It won ten Tony Awards, including best musical. The lead actor award was shared by the three boys who opened in the title role, marking the first time in Tony history the award has been shared by three actors.^[17] The production was also nominated for ten Drama Desk Awards, winning all ten, including Outstanding Musical, and for nine 2008-09 Outer Critics Circle Awards, wining seven, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, and also received a Special Achievement Award for its three Billys.^[18]

Olivier Awards

Winners, except as indicated:^[19][20]

• Best New Musical
• Best Actor in a Musical (James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower, joint winners)
• Best Actress in a Musical (Haydn Gwynne, nominee)
• Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Tim Healy, nominee)
• Best Director (Stephen Daldry, nominee)
• Best Theatre Choreographer (Peter Darling)
• Best Set Design (Ian MacNeil, nominee)
• Best Lighting Design (Rick Fisher, nominee)
• Best Sound Design (Paul Arditti)

Tony Awards

Winners, except as indicated:

• Best Musical
• Best Book of a Musical (Lee Hall)
• Best Original Score (Elton John and Lee Hall, nominees)
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical ( David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish, joint winners)
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (David Bologna, nominee)
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara)
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Haydn Gwynne and Carole Shelley, nominees)
• Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Daldry)
• Best Choreography (Peter Darling)
• Best Orchestrations (Martin Koch; tied with Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt for Next to Normal)
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Ian MacNeil)
• Best Costume Design of a Musical (Nicky Gillibrand, nominee)
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Rick Fisher)
• Best Sound Design of a Musical (Paul Arditti)

Drama Desk Awards

All winners:

• Outstanding Musical
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara)
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Haydn Gwynne)
• Outstanding Director of a Musical
• Outstanding Choreography
• Outstanding Music
• Outstanding Book of a Musical
• Outstanding Orchestrations (Martin Koch)
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical (Rick Fisher)
• Outstanding Sound Design (Paul Arditti)

Characters and original casts

Original casts lists for the London, Sydney, Melbourne, and Broadway productions can be found at Billy Elliot the Musical casts.

See also

• Billy Elliot
• The Stars Look Down

References

External links

• Billy Elliot the Musical official site
• Billy Elliot the Musical at the Internet Broadway Database
• The Guide to Musical Theatre - production information, etc - London
• Billy Elliot Tickets at Stubdepot.com, the official fan site for secondary ticketing
• The four young actors who play BILLY ELLIOT in London share with their role the passion for dancing - feature from todoMUSICALES

Ballet portal