Billy Elliot the Musical

Billy Elliot the Musical is an adaptation of one of the most adored British films of the last decade. The extraordinary movie - written by Lee Hall, directed by Stephen Daldry and choreographed by Peter Darling - has been developed for the stage by the same multi-award winning creative team. The score for the stage show has been composed by Elton John.

"The greatest British musical I've ever seen" The Daily Telegraph

Billy Elliot the Musical is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy's dream in a gripping tale of triumph over adversity.

"Funny, touching and shamelessly enjoyable" The Independent

This original story captured the hearts and minds of the world when the movie was released in October 2000. Nominated for 3 Oscar's and 13 Bafta awards this poignant film broke box office records across the world.

I can't really explain it, I haven't got the words
It's a feeling that you can't control
I suppose it's like forgetting, losing who you are
And at the same time something makes you whole"
(Electricity from Billy Elliot The Musical, words by Lee Hall)

"I am extraordinarily proud of what Lee and I have created for the stage musical of Billy Elliot. The show demonstrates everything I love about the power of art. It can inspire you. It can transform lives. Art can make you look at life in a way you never have before. And it can take you places well beyond your wildest dreams." Elton John, music for Billy Elliot The Musical

And then I feel a change, Like a fire deep inside
Something bursting me wide open, Impossible to hide
And suddenly I'm flying, Flying like a bird, Like electricity,
Electricity, Sparks inside of me, And I'm free, I'm free
(Electricity from Billy Elliot The Musical, words by Lee Hall)

"If Billy Elliot is about one thing it is that we are all capable of making lives for ourselves which are full of joy and self-expression, whilst we might not all become ballet dancers we are capable of finding moments of real profundity and creativity whatever our circumstances. But more than that we have a duty to ourselves and each other to create a society where this possibility in all of us is nurtured and can flourish. We owe it to the next generation to create a world where it is possible for the Billy Elliots as yet unborn to have a chance to succeed and flourish rather than be fed to the machine which grinds us into identical pieces only fit for consumption. If Billy Elliot conveys any message at all 1 hope it is that it is possible to fight back and resist and it is possible to move on without forgetting where you come from." Lee Hall, book and lyrics for Billy Elliot The Musical

"Billy's a whizz! He'll lift your soul, make you cry and send you home high with hope" The Daily Mail

Please note that, like the film, Billy Elliot the Musical contains strong language aswell as some scenes of confrontation between policemen and miners. Therefore, as a rule of thumb, when booking tickets for parties including children, please consider the film version of Billy Elliot which as a rating of '15' and whether this would be suitable for all members of your party. The producers of Billy Elliot The Musical recommend a minimum age of eight years old.

"Exhilarating" The Guardian

"Recent big musicals - Mary Poppins and The Producers - rely on razzle-dazzle, Daldry and the choreographer, Peter Darling, have made set pieces in keeping with the world they are creating... The performances are equally intimate and culturally specific... Ultimately, however, a musical stands or falls on its songs, and Billy Elliot lacks the memorable melodies and unforgettable lyrics to propel it into the all-singing Hall of Fame." The Sunday Times

"Irresistible" The London Evening Standard

"The brilliance of Billy Elliot - The Musical, Stephen Daldry's fierce and gorgeous improvement on his own movie, is that it never says anything if it can dance it. It makes its points on its toes... Peter Darling's choreography is realistic, internal, individual... It looks right, too. Ian MacNeil's design - a rough grey wall, a curved pub front and a pop-up spiral house that echoes the shape of the pithead - spins the action along, without cumbersome changes. Daldry steers the audience through the political and personal story with a series of unforgettable images" The Observer

"Billy triumphs" The Daily Mirror

"Stephen Daldry's passionate new musical version, a work of fabulous flair and tremendous talent... is darker, grittier, much funnier and more moving than the film... In essence, this is a story about the transforming power of art, about daring to express yourself, about nurturing talent... This heartstopping show is a must-see." The Mail on Sunday

"Brit musical of the decade has arrived" The Daily Express

"Although at times the action on-stage looks more like milling about than dancing, the choreography enriches the play with bold visual metaphors that pit the artist as individual against the values of community. At the end of the first act, Billy throws himself against a wall of riot shields, but as the scene continues the police start to seem imprisoned behind a wall of their own making while Billy dances free... What you get with Billy Elliot The Musical is bucketloads of that old razzle-dazzle. You get uplifting lyrics, chubby miners fluttering in the air like flying hippos, panto, sentimentality, and plenty of belly laughs. Above all, you get the children, who are extraordinary... What you don't get though is that big extra something the word 'musical' should add. Elton John's score fails to deliver any memorable songs or the mesh of wonderful music that knits together the greatest musicals. But if Billy Elliot is not one of the great musicals, it's challenging and enjoyable viewing." The Sunday Telegraph