Photo Flash: 'Billy Elliot' Opens in Sydney

Elton John and Lee Hall's multi award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical received its Australian premiere at Sydney's Capitol Theatre on Thursday, December 13 with a star-studded audience hosted by Billy Elliot composer Elton John.

Directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has recently celebrated its 1000th performance in London and has now been seen by over 1.5 million people and has grossed over £65 million.  The Sydney production is the first to open outside the UK and casting is already underway for a Broadway production opening in autumn of 2008.

Billy Elliot the Musical is set in the North East and is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy's dreams.  This staging of Billy Elliot the Musical is an adaptation of one of the most adored British films of the last decade which broke box office records across the world and was nominated for 3 Oscars and 13 BAFTA Awards.  The score has been composed by music legend Elton John, the most celebrated UK singer songwriter of the last 30 years, choreography is by Peter Darling, designs are by Ian MacNeil with sound by Paul Arditti and lighting by Rick Fisher.

Photos by James Morgan