Billy Elliot the Musical
‘Billy Elliot’ is the much loved story of the talented young ballet dancer Billy who fights to attend dance lessons at a time when other boys his age are being taught to box and rebel. Originally a feature-length film, ‘Billy Elliot’ has now been adapted for the stage and has been performed on the West End to rave reviews since 2005. Among the many awards given to the musical are four Lawrence Olivier Awards, two Theatre Goers’ Choice Awards, the Evening Standard Award and the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award. The musical has also been performed in Sydney, Australia and on Broadway in New York.
When it opened on West End, Billy Elliot the Musical received many accolades and positive reviews - and it’s little surprise, as the storyline is one that many audience members can relate to on both a personal and national level. Set in the 1980s, ‘Billy Elliot’ (the film and the musical) is an unflinching portrayal of the hardship faced by families all over the UK during the drawn-out period of pit closures which led to large-scale strikes and heart-breaking poverty. Billy, raised by his father and rebellious older brother, struggles to find his place in a world torn apart by riots, fear and social conservatism. His only refuge is the ballet dancing which he practices in secret with the help of Mrs Wilkinson, the mother of one of Billy’s friends. Taunted by his community for participating in a ‘female pursuit’ and misunderstood by his father who wishes that Billy would instead take boxing lessons, Billy fights to hold on to the only thing that makes him happy - dancing. The story ends with Billy being accepted to the prestigious Royal Ballet School in London. Despite their initial reservations, Billy’s family and friends finally accept that he is leading the life he is destined for. Although the main storyline of ‘Billy Elliot’ (both the film and the musical) revolves around the continued struggles of young Billy, the underlying theme of societal struggle and misery is a strong one which is more apparent in the musical than it was initially in the movie. Perhaps this is why audiences are so overjoyed when Billy triumphs despite the odds.
Although ‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ is an incredibly popular show on the West End, it has been open since 2005 and it is therefore not as difficult as it once was to find tickets. There are also other musicals (like Oliver! ) which are brand new or yet to open, and this will also reduce the number of people trying to obtain tickets for ‘Billy Elliot’. It may be possible to find cheap or discounted theatre tickets for the ‘Billy Elliot’ shows, providing you are willing to be flexible with your schedule - you may have to buy the tickets on the morning of the show, for instance, or see a matinee performance. There will be certain nights during the week (like Mondays through to Thursdays) when tickets are easier and cheaper to buy, so these are the ones you should aim for.