Billy Elliot The Musical today celebrates an incredible decade in the West End and has marked the landmark birthday by extending its booking period to 17 December 2016.
More than 600,000 tickets are now on sale, offering Billy Elliot’s many diehard fans and newcomers to the show alike another 18 months to see the hit musical that has been capturing the hearts of audiences since it triumphantly opened exactly 10 years ago today.
Music icon Elton John, who collaborated with writer Lee Hall and director Stephen Daldry on the musical adaptation of the hit film, said the trio knew they were onto something special from the very beginning, commenting: “It’s no secret that I fell in love with the film and from that moment I was convinced Billy’s story should be seen on stage. When I saw the show for the first time back in 2005 I was completely bowled over and 10 years and 40 London Billy Elliots later, I couldn’t be more proud of this extraordinary show. Billy Elliot in particular means something very special to me and I want to thank absolutely everyone who has been involved in the production throughout this incredible journey.”
As the moving show turns 10 years old, it is a sentiment echoed by his co-creatives, with Hall paying tribute to the show saying: “From film to stage, Billy Elliot has been, without doubt, the most rewarding and exhilarating experience of my career” and Daldry describing his work on the musical as having given him “enormous professional fulfilment as well as huge pride”.
Set in a northern mining town against the backdrop of the 1984/5 miners’ strike, the production has seen more than 500 children perform on the Victoria Palace Theatre stage to tell the story of a determined boy’s journey from boxing ring to ballet star.
Now seen all over the world, both in international productions and as a result of last year’s special cinema broadcast, Billy Elliot The Musical has won more than 80 awards including numerous Olivier Awards.
The current cast includes West End legend Ruthie Henshall, who spoke to us earlier in the year about her role in the hugely successful production.