Billy Elliot the Musical

Productions

Original London production

The premiere of the musical was planned at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, but this was abandoned due to financial problems of the Tyne Theatre's operator, and the production's growing budget.

The musical premiered in the West End at the Victoria Palace Theatre, opening in previews on 31 March 2005 and officially on 11 May 2005. It closed on 9 April 2016, when the theatre closed for refurbishment, after 4,600 performances. The show reportedly cost £5.5 million to produce (the original film version cost $5 million). 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 in the title role, and the supporting cast included Haydn Gwynne as Mrs. Wilkinson, Tim Healy as Billy's father, and Stephanie Putson as Billy's mother. The sets were designed by Ian MacNeil, the costumes by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting was by Rick Fisher, and sound by Paul Arditti.

The musical received favourable reviews: The Daily Telegraph's Charles Spencer called it "the greatest British musical I have ever seen". It won four Laurence Olivier Awards in 2006: Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (awarded jointly to James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower, the boys who played Billy), Best Theatre Choreographer and Best Sound Design. It also won the Evening Standard Theatre Award, the Critics' Circle Theatre Award, and the Theatregoers' Choice Award, all for Best Musical.

The original cast album was released on 10 January 2006. On 12 May 2006, the three original Billys appeared together in a performance of the musical to celebrate its first anniversary. The three rotated the role during the performance and were joined at the end by Elton John. At the 2013 Laurence Olivier Awards, the show won another Olivier Award, the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Most Popular Show (voted for by theatre goers), after many years of being finalists for the award. After Margaret Thatcher died in 2013, according to director Stephen Daldry, the audience were given the choice to decide whether the song "Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher" would be included in the performance that day, since the lyrics include the sentence: "We all celebrate today 'cause it's one day closer to your death". As only three audience members voted against it, the performance went ahead as usual. On 3 July 2015, 12-year-old Nat Sweeney from Birmingham became the 41st actor to play the role of Billy in London, making him the 100th to play the role worldwide. Elton John appeared on stage at the final West End performance in April 2016.

Australian tours

The musical opened at Sydney's Capitol Theatre on 13 November 2007, directed by Daldry in association with Julian Webber, and choreographed by Darling. 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. The show also won seven Helpmann Awards, including the awards for Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Female Actor (Genevieve Lemon as Mrs. Wilkinson) and Best Male Actor, awarded jointly to the four boys who played Billy Elliot at the 8th Helpmann Awards. The production concluded in Sydney on 9 November 2008 with all eight Sydney Billys in the finale.

The Sydney production transferred to Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre, opening on 13 December 2008. The Melbourne production closed on 14 June 2009 after a successful run.

On 10 April 2017 it was announced that Billy Elliot would open at Sydney's Lyric Theatre in October 2019. The production transferred to Adelaide, followed by Melbourne where it was scheduled to close in April 2020. The adult cast featured Kelley Abbey as Mrs. Wilkinson, Justin Smith as Billy's dad, Vivien Davis as Grandma and Drew Livingston as Troy. Mid-way through the run, Abbey withdrew from the show and was replaced by her understudy Lisa Sontag as Mrs. Wilkinson. On 28 November, Elton John watched the show from a private box and surprised the cast and audience by participating in the final bows. The show closed just over a month early in Melbourne, on 16 March 2020, due to audience restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Original Broadway production

The Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre on 1 October 2008 in previews, and officially on 13 November 2008. The London production's creative team directed and designed the Broadway production. The title role was rotated among three young actors, David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik, the last of whom had previously played the role in London. The supporting cast included Haydn Gwynne, reprising her role of Mrs. Wilkinson from the London production, and Gregory Jbara as Billy's father.

The production received rave reviews: 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"; 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". It has also been very financially successful, with $20 million taken in advance ticket sales. In 2009, the production received fifteen Tony Award nominations, tying with The Producers for the most nominations ever received by a Broadway show, and winning ten at the 63rd Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The original three boys in the lead role, Alvarez, Kulish and Kowalik, jointly won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. The production sold strongly and recouped its original investment of $18 million in 14 months. The Broadway production closed on 8 January 2012 following 40 previews and 1,312 regular performances.

Original Mexican production

The first Spanish language production opened on 14 February 2017 at Centro Cultural Teatro 2 in Mexico City. The role of Billy was played by Mauricio Arriaga, Demián Ferráez, Ian González and Aaron Márquez. The role of Mrs. Wilkinson was played by Anahí Allué. The cast also included Hernán Mendoza, Carlos Fonseca, first actress Norma Lazareno and Concepción Márquez as Billy's father, Tony and Billy's grandmother respectively. Tony Award winner David Alvarez, from the original Broadway production, reprised his character in its adult version for this production. Billy Elliot closed on 30 December 2017 and from January through August 2018 it embarked on a national tour.

Original Spanish production

The second Spanish language production began previews on 22 September 2017 at the Nuevo Teatro Alcalá in Madrid, and officially opened on 5 October 2017. The role of Billy was originally played by Pablo Bravo, Pau Gimeno, Cristian López, Miguel Millán, Oscar Pérez, and Diego Rey, with Carlos Hipólito as Billy's father and Natalia Millán as Mrs. Wilkinson.

Billy Elliot closed in Madrid on 10 March 2020, when performances were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The production reopened on 9 October 2021 at the Teatre Victòria in Barcelona, where it ran until 22 May 2022. With 1,166 performances played, this is the 3rd longest running production of Billy Elliot worldwide, only after London and Broadway.

Stratford Festival production

The Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario announced that Billy Elliot would be part of its 2019 season. Previews began on 16 April 2019, and the official opening performance was held on 28 May. The production was scheduled to run until 3 November, but was extended due to popular demand until 24 November. There were a total of 119 performances throughout the season.

The production was staged in the Festival Theatre, making this the first time the show has been performed on a thrust stage. Because the audience would be seated on 3 sides of the stage, the blocking and staging needed to be designed so that all members of the audience could see the performance. The production was directed and choreographed by Donna Feore, with set design by Michael Gianfrancesco, costuming by Dana Osborne, and music direction by Franklin Brasz.

Nolen Dubuc was announced for the lead role of Billy. While there was an understudy, Dubuc ended up performing in all 119 performances. The rest of the cast included Emerson Gamble as Michael, Blythe Wilson as Mrs. Wilkinson, and Dan Chameroy as Dad.

Original German-language production

The first German-language production of Billy Elliot premiered in November 2024 at the Maag Music Hall in Zurich. The title role of Billy was played by Moritz Fischli (alternated with Leo Lemmerich, Nevio Reymond). The main cast also included Pasquale Aleardi as the father (alternating with Frank Logemann), Isabelle Flachsmann (alternating with Gabriela Ryffel) as Mrs. Wilkinson, Sabine Martin (alternating with Kaatje Dierks) as the grandmother and Justin Périer (alternating with Elias Meier, Charlie Bänziger) as Michael. Roman Riklin (lyrics) and Eric Hättenschwiler (dialogues) were responsible for the German-language adaptation.

North American touring productions

Although considered the first US tour, the show did not tour as a usual touring production would, with longer engagements in Chicago and Toronto.

The musical opened in Chicago on 18 March 2010 in previews, officially on 11 April, at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre for an extended run. This is the start of the North American multi-city tour. According to producer Eric Fellner, however, 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. Emily Skinner played Mrs. Wilkinson, and the cast featured Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio, Cesar Corrales and J.P. Viernes alternating as Billy, with Armand Schultz as Billy's Dad, Cynthia Darlow as Grandma, Patrick Mulvey as Tony and Jim Ortlieb as George. The production closed early on 28 November 2010 and transferred to Toronto. The show ran for 37 weeks and 288 performances.

The production had been slated to run through July 2010 but was extended to the middle of January 2011, by popular demand. By September, however, ticket sales were growing bleak. According to the Chicago Tribune, "Weekday attendance had been especially poor in recent weeks, despite heavily discounted tickets. Audience members at the Oriental Theatre in the Loop had reported an almost-empty balcony at some shows, and weekday attendance had been as low as 900 or so people. December sales are typically strong, so the decision to close then indicated that things were not expected to pick up." The show closed "early" in November 2010.

The Canadian premiere of the show opened on 1 February 2011 at the Canon Theatre in Toronto. The cast included: Kate Hennig as Mrs. Wilkinson; Cesar Corrales, J.P. Viernes, Marcus Pei and Myles Erlick as Billy; Armand Schultz as Billy's dad; Cynthia Darlow as Grandma; Patrick Mulvey as Tony; Jim Ortlieb as George; and cast members from the Chicago company. It was originally scheduled for 28 January 2011.

The show received mostly glowing reviews. The most critical review was one published in the National Post: "The signal achievement of Billy Elliot the Musical is to be even phonier than the movie it's based on." The show was extended, due to packed audiences for an additional three months.

2026 UK tour and 2027 West End revival

In December 2025, the producers behind the original production announced their search for children to play the roles of Billy, Michael and Debbie in a forthcoming run of the musical. A UK tour was subsequently announced, including a run at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End from February to July 2027.

In June 2026, the four boys that will play the title role in the national tour and West End season were announced. It was also announced that original Billy Elliot, Liam Mower, will return to the show to play Older Billy.

Other productions

The first non-English language production of the musical opened in Seoul on 10 August 2010 in previews and officially on 14 August at the LG Arts Center. It originally starred Jin-Ho Jung, Ji-Myeong Lee, Sunu Lim, and Se-Yong Kim in the title role of Billy with Junhyung Kim later joining the cast in January 2011. Supporting cast included Young-joo Chung as Mrs. Wilkinson, Won-hee Cho as Billy's father, and Jae-hyung Lim as Tony. This production closed on 27 February 2011.

The first US regional production of the show opened on 16 June 2014 at The Muny in St. Louis, Missouri, for a week-long run. Included among the cast were Tade Biesinger as Billy, Emily Skinner as Mrs. Wilkinson, Daniel Oreskes as Dad, and Patti Perkins as Grandma, all reprising their roles from the original Broadway production. On 25 October 2013, the Ogunquit Playhouse announced that it would stage their own production which ran from 25 June through 26 July 2014. Included among the cast were Anastasia Barzee as Mrs. Wilkinson, Sam Faulkner and Noah Parets as Billy, Armand Schultz as Billy's dad, Dale Soules as Grandma, Anthony Festa as Tony and Joel Blum as George. Other regional productions have also been announced.

In December 2013 the Norwegian production company SceneKvelder announced that it would stage their own production of the show at the Folketeatret in Oslo. This production opened on 18 September 2014 for a limited run and was the first international non-replica production to open. Kevin Haugan played the title role with Hilde Lyrån as Mrs. Wilkinson, Nils Ole Oftebro as Billy's dad and Benjamin Helstad as Tony.

On 30 November 2014 Billy Elliot premiered in the Netherlands at the AFAS Circustheater in The Hague (Scheveningen) after previews starting on 6 November. Billy was alternately played by Tydo Korver, Stijn van der Plas, Svenno van Kleij, Carlos Puts, Jillis Roshanali and Roan Pronk. Among the cast were Dutch musical actress Pia Douwes as Mrs. Wilkinson, Bas Heerkens as Billy's father, and Reinier Demeijer as Tony. This production was produced by the original English producers (Universal Stage Productions, Working Title Films, Old Vic Productions) and by Joop van den Ende Theaterproducties/Stage Entertainment.

On 22 January 2015 Billy Elliot premiered in Denmark at Det Ny Teater in Copenhagen. Billy was alternately played by Oscar Dietz, Carl-Emil Lohmann and Nicolas Stefan Anker Markovic. The cast included actress Julie Steincke as Mrs. Wilkinson, Kristian Boland as Billy's father, and Sebastian Harris as Tony.

Social and cultural issues

Subversion of gender roles

The production is notable in its empowering promotion of the subversion of traditional gender roles, promoting acceptance and open-mindedness; both implicitly in the show's decision to represent drag and the challenging of traditional masculinity in a positive light, and explicitly, in the shows lyrics and repeated core message of the value of 'expressing yourself' and embracing one's 'individuality.' Billy's subversion of traditional masculine "gender performativity" is highlighted against the contrast of Durham's extremely masculine working-class society. With this focus, Billy Elliot has the position of being "the first mainstream British entertainment to directly interrogate homophobic prejudice as a function of patriarchal society." With the impact of its empowering message of acceptance entering public discourse and education campaigns thanks to the prominence and financial success of the show.

Empowering the working class

Within the social context of the 1984–85 miner's strike, Billy Elliot's personal struggle to continue dancing is contrasted powerfully to choreographed violence due to the strike. The repetition of 'solidarity forever' is an empowering musical motif to represent the perceived power of the miners union. The message of strength in unity is assisted by emotive and colloquial lyrics, producing audience affect as the empowered everyday working men fight ardently against the British government. However the eventual fall of the worker's strike suggests that class differences are inevitable, yet there remains an allusion to strength despite this loss of power.

Synopsis

Act I

In County Durham, the 1984–85 coal miners' strike is just beginning ("The Stars Look Down"). Motherless eleven-year-old Billy Elliot stays behind after his boxing class to give keys to Sandra Wilkinson, who runs a ballet class. The class is all girls, but Billy is attracted to the grace of the dance ("Shine"). At first, Billy's interest in dance is easily concealed from his family, as the only person home at the time is his grandmother. She reveals to Billy the abuse she suffered at the hands of her late husband, but that she found great joy in dance ("Grandma's Song").

While his father Jackie Elliot, brother Tony Elliot and neighbours are on strike and clash with riot police, Billy secretly takes dance lessons ("Solidarity"). During the number, the violent reality of the strike is contrasted with the peaceful practice of ballet.

Eventually, Jackie discovers Billy in the ballet class and forbids him from attending the lessons. Mrs. Wilkinson, who recognizes Billy's potential, privately suggests that he should audition for the Royal Ballet School in London, offering free private lessons to prepare him for the audition. Billy is not sure what he wants to do, so he visits his best friend Michael Caffrey for advice. He finds Michael wearing a dress. Michael persuades Billy to have fun with him by dressing up in woman's clothing, rejecting the restrictive inhibitions of their working class community ("Expressing Yourself").

For his first private ballet lesson, Billy brings things to inspire a special dance for the audition, including a letter from his mother ("Dear Billy (Mum's Letter)"). Through his lessons, he develops an impressive routine for his audition ("Born to Boogie"), as he forms a close bond with Mrs. Wilkinson. Her daughter, Debbie Wilkinson, tries to discourage Billy from auditioning because she has a crush on him. Meanwhile, Jackie and 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 as the strike goes on for nearly a year.

When the day of the Royal Ballet School audition comes, the police come through the village, injuring Tony. Billy's family and some members of the community are gathered at the Elliot home, where Mrs. Wilkinson arrives when Billy fails to meet her to leave for the audition. She reveals that she has been teaching Billy in preparation for this audition, which upsets and angers Jackie and Tony. Tony tries to force Billy to dance on the table in front of everyone. Suddenly, the police approach and, as everyone escapes, Billy calls out to his father saying that his mother would have let him dance, to which Jackie says, "Your Mam's dead!". Billy goes into a rage ("Angry Dance"), and from that moment on, he stays away from anything related to ballet.

Act II

Six months later at the miner's annual Christmas show, the children put on a show disparaging Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who is seen as the antagonist by the coal miners ("Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher"). 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 ("Deep Into the Ground"). Left alone with Billy in the Community Centre, Michael reveals he has feelings for him, but Billy says that the fact that he likes ballet does not mean that he is gay. Michael gives him a kiss on the cheek. Michael tries to get Billy to show him some dancing, but Billy is sad and tells him to leave.

Michael departs, but leaves a music player running. Billy feels like dancing for the first time since the day of the aborted audition and dances while dreaming of being a grown-up dancer ("Swan Lake"). Unknown to Billy, his father arrives and watches him dance. Overcome with emotion, Jackie 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 after missing the audition. Mrs. Wilkinson offers to help pay for the trip to London for the next audition, but Jackie refuses and leaves, questioning his working-class pride and the future mining has for his boys.

Jackie 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 ("He Could Be A Star"). The argument comes to blows and Billy is hit accidentally. A miner chastises them for fighting and says that the important thing is looking after the child. One by one, the miners give money to help pay for the trip to the audition, but Billy still does not have enough for the bus fare to London. A strike-breaker arrives and offers him hundreds of pounds. An enraged Tony attempts to shun his donation, but no one else speaks up in his support. Now drained of hope, Tony dismally ponders whether there's a point for anything anymore, and runs off.

Billy and his father arrive at the Royal Ballet School for the audition. While Jackie waits outside, an upper-crust Londoner highlights the contrast between the Elliots and the families of the other applicants. Jackie meets a dancer with a thick Northern accent, who confesses that his father does not support his ballet career, but sharply advises Jackie to "get behind" his boy. Billy nervously finishes the audition with a feeling that he did not do well. As he packs his gear, he becomes overwhelmed and punches another dancer. The audition committee reminds Billy of the strict standards of the school and their zero-tolerance on violence. They have received an enthusiastic letter from Mrs. Wilkinson explaining Billy's background, situation and talent/potential; then ask him to describe what it feels like when he dances. Billy responds with a heartfelt declaration of his passion ("Electricity").

Original cast recording

The original London cast recording was released on CD in 2005. This 75-minute CD features all the musical numbers listed above, excluding the instrumental Swan Lake track. A two disc 'Special Edition' version was later released, however the second CD only totals 9 minutes and contains versions of "The Letter", "Electricity" and "Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher" performed by Elton John.

Original casts

The principal original cast of the West End, Broadway, Australian and UK tour productions:

Notable West End replacements

Billy – Leon Cooke, Matthew Koon, Layton Williams, Corey Snide, Oliver Taylor, Trent Kowalik, Dean-Charles Chapman, Fox Jackson-Keen, Tom Holland, Tade Biesinger

Michael – Tom Holland, Jake Pratt

Debbie – Amy Duggan, Megan Jossa

Mrs. Wilkinson – Sally Dexter, Jackie Clune, Joanna Riding, Genevieve Lemon, Gillian Bevan, Ruthie Henshall

Grandma – Diane Langton, Gillian Elisa

Dad – James Gaddas, Philip Whitchurch, Joe Caffrey, Martin Marquez

Tony – Craig Gallivan, Tom Lorcan, Killian Donnelly

Ballet girl – Mia McKenna-Bruce

Notable Broadway replacements

Billy – Alex Ko, Michael Dameski, Myles Erlick, Tade Biesinger

Mrs. Wilkinson – Kate Hennig, Emily Skinner

Dad – Daniel Jenkins

Tony – Will Chase

Michael - Trevor Braun

Grandma – Katherine McGrath

Debbie – Lilla Crawford

Awards and nominations

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 playing Billy were the first to win the award in a shared capacity. James Lomas, George Maguire, and Mower also jointly received the Theatre Goers' Choice Award in 2006 for Newcomer of the Year. The production also won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in 2006, among others. The Sydney production was nominated for eleven 2008 Helpmann Awards and won seven, including Best Musical.

The Sydney production was nominated for three 2007 Sydney Theatre Awards and won all three including Best Production of a Musical. The Melbourne production was nominated for twelve 2008 Green Room Awards and won six, including Best Production Music Theatre. The Broadway production received 15 Tony Award nominations in 2009, tied with The Producers for the most nominations ever received by a single show, although this was surpassed in 2016 by Hamilton with 16 nominations. It won ten Tony Awards, including the Best Musical at the 63rd Tony Awards. The lead actor award was shared by David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish, the three boys who opened in the title role, marking the first time in Tony history the award has been shared by three actors. The production also won in all ten of its Drama Desk Awards nominations, including Outstanding Musical. It garnered ten 2008–09 Outer Critics Circle Awards nominations, winning seven, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, as well as receiving an honorary Special Achievement Award for Alvarez, Kowalik and Kulish. The six juvenile principals (Alvarez, Kowalik, Kulish, David Bologna, Frank Dolce and Erin Whyland) were recognized with an honorary Young Artist Award for Outstanding Broadway Musical Ensemble at the 30th Young Artist Awards.