Hit Elton John musical Billy Elliot set to wow audiences at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre
The four boys who play Billy Elliot in the Elton John musical had not yet been born when the famed movie was released. Now they are bringing the iconic story to life on stage — and it is just as powerful 20 years later.
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The boy with a determination to follow his dream has leapt into Melbourne.
Hit show Billy Elliot the Musical opens tomorrow night (Saturday, February 22) at the Regent theatre and producer Louise Withers said the show was dearly loved by Melbourne audiences when it was last here in 2009.
“We could only play for six months last time we were in Melbourne because we had to go to New York so we’ve come back, knowing that Billy is a very Melbourne show,” Withers said.
The story of a young boy raised during the miners’ strikes of Margaret Thatcher’s England has been described as a breathtaking show.
He secretly rejects his destiny to either be a miner or a boxer, to take ballet classes instead.
Elton John fell in love with the film when he first saw it premiere in Cannes and reached out to the producers with a suggestion to make a musical.
His musical score remains one of the show’s highlights but the story is also just as powerful now.
“In many ways, the show is more relevant now because we’re all wanting that sense of community that is such a big part of the story,” she said.
“The story of people coming together and fighting for a cause is very much in our hearts and, most importantly, it’s about making your dreams come true and being who you are.”
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Four boys share the lead role of Billy in the show. Omar Abiad, 12 of Brisbane, River Mardesic, 11, of Melbourne, Wade Neilsen, 13, of Newcastle, and Jamie Rogers, 13, of Canberra will all have the chance to show their incredible dance, singing and acting skills in the show.
“It’s the power of dance, music and good story telling that is universal,” she said.
Billy Elliot is at the Regent Theatre until April 19, 2020.