BWW Interviews: Kate Hennig Brings Billy Elliot Home to Toronto

Billy Elliot is a smash-hit musical already on stage in London, England and Broadway. The winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the show is finally coming to Toronto! The Canadian Premiere of Billy Elliot is already in previews at The Canon Theatre, and officially opens on March 1st, 2011.

Billy Elliot is the story on one boy's journey to make his dreams to dance come true. Set in a small town in England, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family and his entire community. The show features music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry.

Over the next few weeks BWW is thrilled to be bringing its readers photos, interviews and behind the scenes looks at Billy Elliot Toronto. First up is Kate Hennig, who played the role of Mrs. Wilkinson in the Broadway production of the show and now gets to bring it back home to Canada. She talked about what this journey has been like for her, and her love for Elton John:

Congratulations on Billy Elliot in Toronto! How are previews going?

Really well! We've been previewing for a few weeks and we had three weeks of rehearsal with the full company before that and it has been great. It's mostly the Chicago company that's up here and a few local Toronto folk and me! It's good to get to know a New Group of people.

As you said, the Toronto production is mostly the Chicago company, what has it the adjustment period been like for you coming up from Broadway?

It's so funny; it's like going to a family reunion where you don't know anyone. You should recognize everyone and your sort of do but they all have different faces! It's a really great company and I'm really loving them! Julian Webber is the Associate Director and was with us the whole time in rehearsal. He is really happy with the show and once again he has invigorated it and given us new direction. That's one thing I can say about this creative team, they come in and reinvent all the time and as an actor that gives you something new to play with and keeps it alive.

You had the opportunity to play Mrs. Wilkinson on Broadway, what is it like getting to bring the production home to Canada?

It has been great! Many of the audience patrons we have in previews right now are subscribers to the Mirvish group so they are really savvy theatre-goers and it's really exciting to bring this really great piece of theatre home to them. They have been really excited so far and the response has been fantastic.

The Canon is a larger theatre than your Broadway home (The Imperial), has that changed the way you approach the role at all?

It actually isn't that much bigger. The Canon can seat something like 2300 people, but they have this brilliant wall that they can put in at the rear of the balcony and it looks like it is part of the theatre. It makes the house size around 1700 which is only about 400 more than we had on Broadway. It is slightly wider and deeper so it feels more spacious, but it isn't a significant change.

Before taking on the role, had you seen the film or the live show?

I saw the film years ago and I loved the story! I had never seen Billy Elliot in England but I did get to see it on its second night on Broadway. That was actually after I had auditioned. It was really neat seeing it on stage before I had read any reviews or really knew much about the stage production.

Do you find that you get people comparing you to previous Mrs. Wilkinson's or to Julie Walters (Mrs. Wilkinson in the film)?

People make comparisons to the movie all the time. It's so interesting because the stage play tells the same story as the film but in a completely different way. It is told in a very theatrical way, and what that means is that it makes the story even bigger and more about the whole community.
When you are shooting a film you can really focus on 1, 2 or 3 relationships and so the really central aspects of the film end up being the relationship between Billy and Mrs. Wilkinson and Billy and his family.

That is still the case on stage, but in order to have the big musical numbers we have we put a focus on the community as well and that makes it a different type of story-telling. We learn more about how the community influences the culture that Billy is involved in and how it makes it more difficult for him to make the decision to separate himself from that community and become a dancer.

There are four boys playing the lead role of Billy, what is it like to work with such young actors in the lead role? And how do you adjust to working with a New Group of Billys?

These are the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Billys I have had! *laughs* I guess you could say I'm a bit used to it by now as I have had a range of experience with the first 9 Billys I worked with. Now it's like falling in love all over again. It is a bit like dating four new men. It's kinda wonderful and exciting. It really proves just how individual we are as human beings because each young man brings something new and different to the story and has his own personality, strengths and vulnerabilities. It is a real honour to be able to work with such amazingly talented young men. Where they keep finding these kids I just don't know! They make my work challenging and exciting and I love them for that!

It is a real testament to Nora Brennan and the people who cast the children. They have these connections all around the English speaking world to dance schools and competitions and teachers and that helps us find the best of the best. That is how they keep bringing forth the amazing young talent and personalities that we get with each Billy. They are very special young people.

We have been hearing rumours that Elton John and David Furnish will be attending opening night in Toronto...

From your lips to Gods ears! We sure hope so! I will tell you what, when I was about Billy's age I was such a huge Elton John fan it was just crazy. So if I get to meet that man it will be an amazing full circle for me. I'm personally very excited about the fact that he and David may be there for the opening. I'm sure hoping and my fingers are crossed. My Mom and Dad are coming too, and for them to meet Elton, it would be truly special.

When and Where?
Billy Elliot

The Canon Theatre

244 Victoria St, Toronto, ON

Performance Schedule
On Stage Now! Opening Night is March 1st, 2011

Tuesday - Saturday 7:30PM
Beginning March 15, Tue performances are at 7PM
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 1:30PM

Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416-872-1212 or online at http://www.mirvish.com/shows/billyelliot

Lottery Details
Lottery available for Tuesday evenings, Wednesday matinees + evenings, and Thursday evenings only.

20 box seats (side seating) are available per weekday performance as outlined above. Lottery seats are $25 each cash Only. Patrons can enter the lottery two hours prior to the performance, with a limit of one lottery entry per person. The draw will begin 1½ hours before showtime, at which point no further entries will be accepted.

Each winner will be able to purchase up to two tickets for that day's next performance only. All winning patrons and their guests must be present to purchase tickets and will be wrist-banded by Box Office staff (Photo ID may be required).

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