Billy Elliot
Tickets

What's it all about?

The little boy who overcomes poverty and prejudice to become a ballet dancer – it’s such a simple yet incredibly uplifting story, it’s no wonder Billy Elliot became a movie classic. The musical, with its stunning dance sequences and inspired music by Elton John, is even better.

If you haven't seen the film in a while or - heaven forbid - you missed it altogether, this multi-Tony Award-winning show does every bit as good a job of transporting you back to the '80s, with all their sights and sounds. It may even give you a pang for your own 'inner Billy' of years gone by, when you weren't afraid to dream big and it felt like the whole world was laid out in front of you.

Who's in it?

You'll instantly recognise Tchaikovsky's music from Swan Lake in the amazing aerial sequence featuring Billy dancing with his older self. But with Elton John providing the rest of the score you'll discover a clutch of brilliant modern tunes too, including the brilliantly catchy 'Solidarity' and tongue-in-cheek 'Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher'.

Most impressive among a uniformly great cast are, of course, the incredibly talented youngsters who play Billy. They're ably assisted by Gillian Bevan (Teachers, Holby City), gamely stepping into Julie Walters’ dance shoes as Billy’s inspirational teacher, and Deka Walmsley (The Pitmen Painters), who plays his Dad.

Suitable for

A tender tale of trial and redemption set against a gritty Northern backdrop, if movies like Brassed Off and The Full Monty were up your cobbled street, then Billy Elliot's your boy. The show's packed with earthy humour, exhilarating music and it carries the uplifting message that anything’s possible so long as you stay true to yourself.

The occasional colourful language used by these authentic northern characters may be a bit too fruity for younger people. Otherwise, it's hard to think who wouldn't instantly warm to this fabulous feel-good musical.