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BIO

Lee Hall was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1966 and studied English Literature at Cambridge University. He has worked as a writer in theatre, TV, radio and film. He has been writer in residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company and Live Theatre, Newcastle Upon Tyne.Theatre: Wittgenstein on Tyne, Live Theatre 1996; Bollocks, RSC Fringe, 1998; Genie, Paines Plough, 1998; Cooking With Elvis, Live Theatre/West End 1999 – nominated for an Oliver Award for Best Comedy; Spoonface Steinberg, Ambassadors Theatre, London 2000; Two’s Company, Live Theatre/Bristol Old Vic, 2001; Billy Elliot the Musical, 2004 – Oliver Award Best Musical; Pitmen Painters, Live Theatre, Newcastle/Royal National Theatre/ National tour/Broadway, 2007–2010.



Theatre adaptations: Leonce and Lena (Buchner), The Gate Theatre, 1997; Mr Puntila and his man Matti (Brecht) Almedia Theatre, 1998, A Servant to Two Masters (Goldoni) RSC/ Young Vic 1999; The Adventures of Pinocchio (Collodi), Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, 2000; Mother Courage (Brecht), Shared Experience/Ambassadors Theatre; The Good Hope (Heijermans) Royal National Theatre, 2001; The Barber of Seville (Beaumarchais), Bristol Old Vic, 2003.

Opera: Adaptation of Il Pagliacci/The Comedians for the English National Opera, 2008.

TV : Spoonface Steinberg 1997, BBC; A Prince of Hearts 1998, BBC; Wind in the Willows 2007 BBC.

Radio: (all BBC): I Luv You Jimmy Spud 1996 – Writers Guild Award Best New Play/Gold Sony Award Best new play/Alfred Bradley Award/Society of Authors Award; Spoonface Steinberg 1997; I Love You, Ragie Patel 1997; The Sorrows of Sandra Saint 1997; Blood Sugar 1997; Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter (from Vargas Llosa) 1998; Gristle 1999; Child of the Snow 2000; Child of the Rain 2000.

Film: Billy Elliot, Working Title Films, 2000. His screen play for War Horse directed by Stephen Speilberg is due out in 2011.

Currently working with Roger Waters on a theatrical adaptation of Pink Floyd’s The Wall.

Photos

Awards and Nominations


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2009 - Best Book of a Musical

Lee Hall, Billy Elliot


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Best Musical

Lee Hall, Billy Elliot

Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best New Play

Lee Hall, The Pitmen Painters


winner
Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Book of a Musical

Lee Hall, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Lee Hall, Billy Elliot, The Musical


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Lee Hall, Billy Elliot


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2008 - Best Play

Lee HallThe Pitmen Painters

Olivier Awards - 2001 - Best New Comedy

Lee HallCooking With Elvis

Videos

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News


Review: FESTEN, Royal Ballet And Opera Photo
Review: FESTEN, Royal Ballet And Opera
by Alexander Cohen - Feb 12, 2025

Mark-Anthony Turnage has a provocative habit of turning unconventional narratives into opera
New Season of NAKED AND AFRAID Premiering in March Photo
New Season of NAKED AND AFRAID Premiering in March
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 7, 2025

From the sweltering jungles in the Philippines to the rugged bluffs of the American Midwest a new season of Discovery Channel’s NAKED AND AFRAID is premiering Sunday, March 9.
NETWORK Comes to PCS Theater Photo
NETWORK Comes to PCS Theater
by Stephi Wild - Jan 21, 2025

PCS Theater has announced the regional premiere of Network, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall from the Academy Award-winning screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky.
LES MISERABLES, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and More Will Come to UK Cinemas This Spring Photo
LES MISERABLES, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and More Will Come to UK Cinemas This Spring
by Stephi Wild - Jan 6, 2025

The World's Greatest Stage Musicals will return this Spring, arriving in over 500 cinemas nationwide—a must-see for theatre lovers of all kinds. Learn more about the lineup here!
7 Underrated Christmas Songs From Broadway Shows Photo
7 Underrated Christmas Songs From Broadway Shows
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 25, 2024

Tired of the same old tried and true holiday songs? Check out a few underrated faves from Anastasia, Elf the Musical, Rent and more!
PINOCCHIO is Now Playing at Det KGL. Teater Photo
PINOCCHIO is Now Playing at Det KGL. Teater
by Stephi Wild - Dec 20, 2024

Pinocchio recounts the tale of Geppetto's little puppet, who, through magic, gains life and sets off on incredible and perilous escapades in his quest to become human.
Video: First Look at Non-Replica BILLY ELLIOT at the Royal Danish Theatre Photo
Video: First Look at Non-Replica BILLY ELLIOT at the Royal Danish Theatre
by Michael Major - Dec 16, 2024

Watch a first look video at the Royal Danish Theatre's new non-replica production of Billy Elliot in Copenhagen. Elton John and Lee Hall's award-winning musical adaptation of the famous film has been a global success.
World Premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage's FESTEN Comes to The Royal Opera Photo
World Premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage's FESTEN Comes to The Royal Opera
by Stephi Wild - Dec 10, 2024

Acclaimed contemporary composer Mark-Anthony Turnage will join forces with Olivier Award-winning director Richard Jones in the world premiere of Festen.
BILLY ELLIOT is Now Playing at the Royal Danish Theatre Photo
BILLY ELLIOT is Now Playing at the Royal Danish Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Dec 9, 2024

This year's musical highlight at the Royal Danish Theatre is Billy Elliot, the story of a boy named Billy growing up in a harsh mining community, who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer.
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Makes Sydney Premiere Next Month Photo
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Makes Sydney Premiere Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Oct 23, 2024

Shakespeare In Love will make its Sydney premiere this November. Performances run 12 November - 14 December 2024.
Royal Academy Of Dance Reveals Winners Of The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Com Photo
Royal Academy Of Dance Reveals Winners Of The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2024
by Stephi Wild - Sep 9, 2024

The Royal Academy of Dance has announced the medallists of The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2024 final which took place at His Majesty's Theatre in London this evening.
Samara Joy Releases New Single Ahead of Forthcoming Album Photo
Samara Joy Releases New Single Ahead of Forthcoming Album
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 28, 2024

Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy has announced a new studio album Portrait, set for release on October 11th. Ahead of the release, she has dropped her lead single 'You Stepped Out of a Dream,' available everywhere now.
Photos: NETWORK at Invictus Theatre Company Photo
Photos: NETWORK at Invictus Theatre Company
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 17, 2024

Invictus Theatre Company’s Chicago premiere of NETWORK will run through September 29. Check out production photos here!
The Umbrella Season Opens With Immersive NETWORK Adaptation Photo
The Umbrella Season Opens With Immersive NETWORK Adaptation
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 7, 2024

Experience a powerful and immersive adaptation of NETWORK at The Umbrella, directed by Ashley Kelly Tata and designed by Afsoon Pajoufar, exploring media, truth, and authenticity in the digital age.
Review: ROCKETMAN: LIVE IN CONCERT, Royal Festival Hall Photo
Review: ROCKETMAN: LIVE IN CONCERT, Royal Festival Hall
by Debbie Gilpin - Apr 21, 2024

“People don’t pay to see Reginald Dwight, they pay to see Elton John!” In the sea of ubiquitous biopic-by-numbers that is modern cinema, one film really stood out from the crowd. Dexter Fletcher and Lee Hall’s Rocketman is the epitome of ‘What Would Elton Do?’, as it veers from one multicoloured musical explosion to another; whereas most biographical depictions of a star’s rise to (and fall from) fame in the most straightforward and accurate fashion they can, this is unashamedly a fantasy memoir told from Elton’s nostalgic perspective. And it has finally made its way to the live arena in the UK.
Previews: BILLY ELLIOT al SISTINA CHAPITEAU Photo
Previews: BILLY ELLIOT al SISTINA CHAPITEAU
by Ettore Farrattini - Mar 26, 2024

BILLY ELLIOT al SISTINA CHAPITEAU DEBUTTO AL SISTINA CHAPITEAU DI MILANO PER BILLY ELLIOT IL MUSICAL DI SIR ELTON JOHN CON GIULIO SCARPATI, EMILIANO FIASCO E ROSSELLA BRESCIA
Video: First Look at BILLY ELLIOT at Paramount Theatre Aurora Photo
Video: First Look at BILLY ELLIOT at Paramount Theatre Aurora
by Joshua Wright - Feb 21, 2024

Get a first look at Paramount Theatre's new production of the coming-of-age tale Billy Elliot: The Musical, set to the music of Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, directed by Trent Stork.
Review: BILLY ELLIOT at Paramount Theatre Aurora IL Photo
Review: BILLY ELLIOT at Paramount Theatre Aurora IL
by Tina St. Angelo Wetzel - Feb 19, 2024

That was my feeling after seeing this new production of Billy Elliot at the Paramount Theatre. It runs through March 24. The book and lyrics were written by Lee Hall. The amazing score was written by Sir Elton John. The original 2005 stage musical was inspired by the 2000 film.
Photos: First Look at BILLY ELLIOT at Paramount Theatre Photo
Photos: First Look at BILLY ELLIOT at Paramount Theatre
by Blair Ingenthron - Feb 17, 2024

Paramount Theatre is ringing in 2024 with a new production of the coming-of-age tale Billy Elliot: The Musical, set to the music of Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, directed by Trent Stork. Performances run through March 24, 2024. Check out production photos here!
Photos: Get An Adavnced Look At BILLY ELLIOT At Paramount Theatre Photo
Photos: Get An Adavnced Look At BILLY ELLIOT At Paramount Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 24, 2024

Paramount Theatre rings in 2024 with an inspired new production of this popular coming-of-age tale, set to the music of Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, directed by Trent Stork. See advance photos of the cast!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Lee Hall written?

Lee Hall has written 4 shows including Billy Elliot (Bookwriter), The Pitmen Painters (Playwright), Shakespeare in Love (Adapted for the Stage), Cats (Screenwriter).

What awards has Lee Hall been nominated for?

Best Book of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Billy Elliot, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Billy Elliot, Best New Play (Olivier Awards) for The Pitmen Painters, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Billy Elliot, The Musical, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Billy Elliot, The Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Billy Elliot, Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for The Pitmen Painters and Best New Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Cooking With Elvis.

What awards has Lee Hall won?

Lee Hall has won the following awards: Best Book of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Billy Elliot; Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Billy Elliot; Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Billy Elliot, The Musical; Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Billy Elliot; and Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for The Pitmen Painters.

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