Billy Elliot The Musical

BILLY ELLIOT TO OPEN IN AUSTRALIA

THE SEARCH FOR BILLY ELLIOT HAS BEGUN.

Universal Pictures, Working Title and Old Vic Productions announced today that the multi-award winner Billy Elliot the Musical will open at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in December 2007 and that the search for Australia’s Billy Elliot had begun.

Billy Elliot the Musical, which opened in London in May 2005 to extraordinary reviews, has broken the UK box office records and is still playing to capacity houses at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Eric Fellner, Producer said, “We’re very excited to be bringing Stephen Daldry’s full West End production of Billy Elliot to Australia, only the second country in the world to get the chance to experience this astonishing theatrical event.”

Based on the film of the same name, Billy Elliot is set in the North East of England and is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy’s dreams set against the decline of a community in Margaret Thatcher’s England.  This original story captured the hearts and minds of the world when the movie was released in October 2000.  Nominated for 3 Academy Awards and 13 BAFTAs, this poignant film broke box office records across the world.

Sally Greene, Producer, said, “It’s fantastic the Billy Elliot is spreading its wings overseas.  I am absolutely thrilled that we have the opportunity to share this unique and amazing show with Australian audiences.

Billy Elliot the Musical is uniquely staged around the particular talents of each individual Billy.  When fully trained, each Billy will perform across a range of disciplines including tap, ballet, singing and acting for a full two and a half hour show to over two thousand people a night.

Louse Withers, Executive Producer (Australia) said, “An Australian wide search will begin next month for the three young actors who will alternate in the role of Billy, with auditions being held in major centres and an exhaustive search for young talent in every town and city throughout Australia and New Zealand.”

Producer Jon Finn said, “The boys don’t have to come to the auditions with a knowledge of every discipline.  We are not looking for stage school kids.  Just children with the raw talent, energy and enthusiasm to be Billy Elliot”.

The audition process for the London production involved scouring the whole of the UK and over three thousand boys were auditioned to find the three boys who opened the London show.