Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall (who wrote the film's screenplay). The musical revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle and fulfilment are balanced against a counter-story of family and community strife caused by the eighties' coal miners' strike in Northern England. Hall's screenplay was inspired in part by A. J. Cronin's novel, The Stars Look Down, and the musical's opening song is an homage. The musical opened in London's West End in 2005 and was nominated for nine Laurence Olivier Awards, winning four including Best New Musical. The success of Billy Elliot the Musical has led to productions in Australia and on Broadway.
Set in County Durham, against the backdrop of the 1984-85 coal miners' strike, motherless eleven-year-old Billy inadvertently finds his way out of his boxing practice and into a ballet class run by Mrs. Wilkinson. Only girls have joined the class, to date. Sure enough, he becomes attracted to the grace of the dance and yearns to learn more. While his brother, father and neighbors stand on strike and clash with riot police, Billy continues to show up at the studio, keeping it a secret from his family, who would prefer that he take on more manly, working-class pursuits. One of the girls in the class is Mrs. Wilkinson’s daughter, and she and Billy form a friendship. Through this friendship, Mrs. Wilkinson's character is revealed. Billy comically responds to Debbie's enquiry as to whether he would like to see her fanny: "No... I don't think so."
When the local boxing coach informs Billy's dad that the boy hasn't been to practice in months, the man erupts, realizing that the money he gave his son for boxing was spent on something else. Soon Billy’s father finds out where his son had been for past few months, and he storms into the ballet class, forbidding Billy from attending and Mrs. Wilkinson, who is supportive of the boy, from teaching him. Mrs. Wilkinson, recognizing the boy’s talent, privately suggests to Billy that he come to the studio for free solo lessons. During these lessons, she improves Billy's skill to a level beyond that of her entire class. Eventually, she encourages him to consider auditioning for the Royal Ballet School in London. Purchase Billy Elliot tickets on-line.
