Chance for youngsters to bring Billy to life

TO CELEBRATE five amazing years in the West End, the producers of Billy Elliot the Musical have launched Billy Youth Theatre, an exciting new initiative providing schools and youth groups around the country with the opportunity to perform their own productions of this internationally award-winning show.

Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall, together with Martin Koch (Musical Supervision and Orchestrations), have adapted their original script and orchestrations to produce a shortened version of the show exclusively for groups staging local productions as part of Billy Youth Theatre.

Students at Coombeshead College in Newton Abbot have jumped at the chance to take part.

They will be staging one of 115 separate productions across the country.

As part of Billy Youth Theatre, selected productions of Billy Elliot from around the country will be invited to perform excerpts from their productions at showcases held at major regional theatres between April and June.

This will culminate with some groups being offered the opportunity to follow in the steps of Billy and perform at the Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala at the Victoria Palace Theatre, Billy's London home, in July.

Lee Hall, who originally conceived the idea behind Billy Youth Theatre, said: "I am delighted that young people around the country will have the opportunity to bring the story of Billy Elliot to life in their communities with the help and guidance of our creative team."

Billy Elliot director, Stephen Daldry, said: "It is very exciting to be able to offer young people around the country a chance to pour their energy and creativity into local productions of Billy Elliot. We are looking forward to seeing their ideas brought to life."