BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL Returns to Australia in 2019

Universal Theatrical Group, Working Title Films, Greene Light Stage, Michael Coppel Entertainment and Louise Withers Presents are delighted to announce that Billy Elliot the Musical will return to Australia in 2019 for its 10th Anniversary Tour. The hugely successful West End musical premiered in Australia in 2007 as the first international production outside of the UK, prior to its Broadway premiere. With the first Australian tour concluding in Melbourne in 2009, this new 10th Anniversary tour kicks off in 2019, ten years after the curtain came down in Australia.

Billy enjoyed huge critical acclaim with Sydney and Melbourne audiences flocking to the theatre, however the physical design was so complex at the time, that touring beyond those two cities was not possible. Now with some clever adjustments, the Producers are delighted that this incredible stage production is able to tour to other Capital Cities. Now all of Australia can experience the magic and fall in love with Billy Elliot the Musical.

Billy Elliot the Musical will open at Sydney Lyric Theatre in October 2019 followed by planned seasons in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre from February 2020, Crown Theatre Perth from June 2020, QPAC's Lyric Theatre in Brisbane from July 2020 and the Festival Theatre at Adelaide Festival Centre from September 2020.

Featuring music by the legendary Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has been seen by almost 12 million people worldwide. Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, it is the recipient of over 80 awards internationally, including ten Tony Awards, five Olivier Awards and eight Helpmann Awards.

Billy Elliot the Musical's composer Elton John had a close affinity with the original Australian production, attending the premiere in Sydney in 2007 and visiting again during his concert tour of Australia in 2008.

Elton John said "Billy Elliot for me is one of the most rewarding and creative works of my career. I have very fond memories of the Sydney production in 2007 as it was the first city outside of the UK we mounted the show and found many incredibly talented children who would go on to carry the show through its successful Australian run. It is truly the most heart-warming show and I am so grateful that new generations of Australians will continue to experience its joy and inspiration."

Eric Fellner, Producer, said, "We are thrilled that Billy Elliot is finally able to return for this Australia wide 10th Anniversary Tour, a decade after it was so loved and supported by audiences in Sydney and Melbourne. We hope that the rest of the country will enjoy it as much now as those audiences did then."

Australian Producer Louise Withers said, "Having been a part of the life of Billy Elliot worldwide for over 13 years, we are absolutely ecstatic that we have the opportunity to bring Billy back to Australia. The Australian creative and technical team of the 2007 production, have since been taken across the world to stage productions in other countries, including Japan and Korea, and the original Australian Billys are excelling in their chosen paths of the industry. It further goes to show that Australian artists and creatives are leaders in their field. This 10th Anniversary Tour will bring our Australian team back together, to restage Billy and celebrate its 10th Anniversary here in Australia."

Based on the film of the same name, Billy Elliot the Musical is a funny, gritty, heart-warming and feel- good celebration following the journey of a young boy raised in a small British mining town. Set against the backdrop of the 1984/'85 miners' strike, Billy's journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family, the whole community and changes his life forever.

Billy Elliot the Musical premiered in London in 2005 and since then has been seen across five continents, winning numerous awards and millions of fans along the way. After winning five Olivier Awards including Best Actor in a Musical for the three Billys and Best Musical, the first international production opened in Sydney in 2007 which garnered eight Helpmann Awards including Best Musical and Best Actor in a Musical for the four boys who shared the role of Billy in 2008. This was followed by an incredibly successful Broadway run which had the extraordinary honour of winning ten Tony Awards in 2009, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Male Actor in a Musical for the three boys that shared the role of Billy. Productions have been staged all over the world including the West End, Australia, Broadway, North American tour, Chicago, Toronto, The Netherlands, UK & Ireland Tour, Hamburg, Tokyo and Seoul.

Billy Elliot the Musical was brought to the stage by the multiple award-winning creative team behind the film including writer Lee Hall (book and lyrics), director Stephen Daldry and choreographer Peter Darling, joined by Elton John who composed the show's score. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

Billy Elliot the Musical is presented by Universal Theatrical Group, Working Title Films, Greene Light Stage, Michael Coppel Entertainment and Louise Withers Presents and is based on the Universal Pictures / Studio Canal film BILLY ELLIOT.

Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn, Sally Greene, Louise Withers, Michael Coppel & Linda Bewick

Executive Producers: Angela Morrison and David Furnish

Executive Producer Australia: Philippa Gowen

To post a comment, you must register and login.