Billy Elliot: The Musical (2014)

Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Elton John, and the book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around Billy, a British motherless boy who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle and fulfillment are balanced against a counter-story of family and community strife caused by the 1984–85 UK miners' strike in County Durham, in North Eastern England. Hall's screenplay was inspired in part by A. J. Cronin's 1935 novel about a miners' strike, The Stars Look Down, to which the musical's opening song pays homage.

Billy Elliot was filmed and broadcast live to cinemas on September 28, 2014. The film managed to top the UK box office for its first weekend bringing in nearly £2 million. While the performance filmed remained true to the original stage production, the ending featured a specially choreographed encore that featured more than 20 current and former Billys from the London production.

The film was released in the US later that year and was eventually released on Blu-Ray and DVD from Universal Studios. PBS also featured the musical as part of their Great Performances series.

Directing:

• Stephen Daldry
• Brett Sullivan

Writing:

• Lee Hall

Stars:

• Elliott Hanna
• Ruthie Henshall
• Deka Walmsley

Release Date: 2014-09-28

8.0/10

• Country: GB
• Runtime: 163