Photo Flash: BILLY ELLIOT Celebrates Five Years In The West End

Last Night, 31 March 2010, Billy Elliot the Musical celebrated its fifth birthday in London's West End. Joining the current London cast to celebrate were composer Elton John, director Stephen Daldry, writer Lee Hall, Haydn Gwynne who played the original Mrs Wilkinson and Tim Healy who played Bllly's original Dad, and 19 past, present and future Billys Elliots. Guests included David Furnish, David Walliams, Lara Stone and Alexander Lebedev.

The three original Billy Elliots - Liam Mower, James Lomas and George Maguire - formed part of a spectacular finale choreographed for Billy's fifth birthday with 19 past, present and future Billys

The critically acclaimed, internationally award-winning musical opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 2005 and has subsequently been seen by over 4.5 million people worldwide. As well as the current London production, Billy Elliot the Musical has performed in Sydney and Melbourne, is currently performing at the Imperial Theater on Broadway and the Oriental Theatre, Chicago, with further productions due to open in Korea in August 2010, Toronto in February 2011 and Japan in 2011. In addition a North American tour is slated to begin in November 2010 and productions are in the works for Germany and Holland.

Since its world premiere, 22 boys have played the title role in London, 10 have played Billy in Australia, 4 in Chicago and 9 boys have played the title role on Broadway. A total of 40 boys, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film, have now performed the title role, with five boys having performed in two countries.

LISTINGS INFORMATION BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

Booking until: currently booking until 18 December 2010
Theatre: Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, London SW1
Box Office: 0870 895 5577
Tickets: £19.50 - £65.00
Performances: Monday - Saturday at 7.30pm
Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm
Website: www.billyelliotthemusical.com

Photo credit: Richard Davenport