Musical theatre fans across the globe will have the opportunity to see the hit West End production of Billy Elliot The Musical when it is streamed live to cinemas worldwide on 28 September.
The Olivier Award-winning musical has been entertaining London audiences with its tale of a young boy from a northern mining town who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer for almost 10 years, but the upcoming broadcast marks the first time the stage musical has been seen on the big screen.
Billy Elliot The Musical’s composer Elton John, who describes the musical as “one of the most rewarding experiences of my life”, said of the forthcoming screening: “Broadcasting the show live to cinemas is a new venture for all of us and will make for a very special event. It’s going to be a thrilling day for everyone at our home at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London.”
Fittingly, the inspirational story began life on screen in Stephen Daldry’s Academy Award-winning film starring Jamie Bell and Julie Walters. The musical, which reunited the film’s creative team – Daldry and writer Lee Hall – has now been seen by almost 10 million people worldwide, with that figure set to rise dramatically thanks to the cinema screening this autumn.
Hall, who is set to bring another screen to stage transformation to the West End next month with Shakespeare In Love, said: “At our home in the West End we usually perform to an audience of 1,500. It is wonderful to think that this special performance will be seen by people in their local cinemas across many countries.”
Billy Elliot The Musical, which is currently booking until May 2015, when it will celebrate its 10th birthday in the West End, features a cast including Ruthie Henshall, Deka Walmsley, Ann Emery and Chris Grahamson, with young performers Matteo Zecca, Mitchell Tobin, Bradley Perret and Elliott Hanna alternating the role of the title character.
Tickets for Billy Elliot The Musical Live can be purchased at www.billyelliotlive.co.uk