Musical by Lee Hall with music by Elton John, directed by Stephen Daldry, about a boy who discovers ballet against the backdrop of the 1984-85 miners' strike.
Billy Elliot the Musical opens at the Edinburgh Playhouse on 19 January 2027, running through to 6 February. It's the stage version of the film that made Jamie Bell a star, with book and lyrics by Lee Hall and music by Elton John.
The story is set in a deprived town in North East England during the 1984-85 miners' strike. It follows eleven-year-old Billy, brought up by a single father and an older brother, who discovers a love for ballet after watching a class taught by Sandra Wilkinson. It's a community that expects him to box, mine and drink, and his journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class ends up inspiring his family and the whole town around him.
On stage, the role of Billy is shared between four young performers — Spencer Collins, William Gurney, Noah Mannion and Rafferty Smale — with Liam Mower playing Older Billy. Lesley Joseph takes the role of Grandma, and the production is directed by Stephen Daldry. The show comes from Universal Theatrical Group and Working Title Films.
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Since its West End premiere in 2005, it's been seen by millions and toured the world, including Australia, Canada, the USA and South Korea. In 2006, it picked up four Olivier Awards: Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Theatre Choreographer and Best Sound Design, and it went on to win the 2013 Olivier Audience Award. It runs from 19 January to 6 February at the Edinburgh Playhouse.
