Stephen Daldry

Top 100 Greatest Musicals Poll – Number 7 – Billy Elliot

Features, Touring
Top 100 Musicals - Number 7 - Billy Elliot

It’s not often that a British film captures the imagination of the world but Billy Elliot did just that. Released in 2000 the film was a sensation worldwide thanks to its honesty, sincerity and humour.  The story of a boy who favoured ballet shoes over boxing gloves, it was set against the background of the UK Miner’s strike. Billy Elliot features music by Elton John with book and lyrics by Lee Hall who had also written the film’s screenplay. The production was directed by Stephen Daldry and choreographed by Peter Darling. Billy Elliot premiered at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre in May 2005, having abandoned plans to open in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Billy Elliot played 4600 performances in London and is now undergoing its first UK national tour. Further productions opened in Australia in 2007 and on Broadway in 2008. In Australia, the show won seven Helpmann Awards including Best Musical … Read more

An Inspector Calls – Casting Announced

News
Book now for An Inspector Calls at the Playhouse Theatre

Producers have announced that Clive Francis (The Crown, Netflix), Barbara Marten (Casualty) and Liam Brennan (Diary of a Madman – winner of a Stage Edinburgh Award) will lead a dynamic cast in the much-anticipated return of Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning production of JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls at the Playhouse Theatre, London. Clive Francis comments, An Inspector Calls is one of the great classic plays of the 20th century. It premiered in London’s west end the year I was born and has now been seen by a whole new generation of theatregoers thanks to Stephen Daldry’s brilliant and masterly production. An Inspector Calls is considered one of Priestley’s greatest works, and has been subject to a variety of interesting interpretations, none more so than this historic National Theatre revival which I’m delighted to be part of. They will be joined on stage by Matthew Douglas, Carmela Corbett, Hamish Riddle and … Read more

An Inspector Calls Comes To The Playhouse Theatre

News, West End
An Inspector Calls at The Playhouse Theatre

Twenty Five years after it’s first appearance at the National Theatre, Stephen Daldry’s award-winning production of J B Priestley’s An Inspector Calls will return to the West End this winter at the Playhouse Theatre. Since 1992, This production of An Inspector Calls has won a total of 19 major awards, including four Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards, playing to more than 4 milion theatregoers worldwide, making it the most internationally-lauded production in the National Theatre’s history. J B Priestley’s brilliantly constructed masterpiece powerfully dramatises the dangers of casual capitalism’s cruelty, complacency and hypocrisy. Stephen Daldry’s epic production highlights the play’s enduring relevance. Written at the end of the Second World War and set before the First, An Inspector Calls is a compelling and haunting thriller. The story begins when the mysterious Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on the prosperous Birling family home. Their peaceful family dinner party is shattered by … Read more

Billy Elliot’s Final Victoria Palace Performance

Gallery, News, West End
Billy Elliot Closes at London's Victoria Palace Theatre

After 4600 performances, Billy Elliot the musical played its last performance on Saturday night (9 April 2016) at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre. The theatre will now undergo a major renovation. The sold out performance had 1530 people on their feet during the curtain call which in true Billy Elliot style included past and present Billy Elliots and members of the show’s creative team. 32 Billy Elliots appeared in the curtain call (the most onstage ever), 24 past Michaels and 18 past Debbies as well as several adult members of the original company. Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Billy Elliot the Musical has won more than 80 theatre awards and has now been seen by nearly 5.4 million people in London, while globally it has been seen by almost 11 million. Over the eleven year run in the West End, the Victoria Palace Theatre was home to 531 young performers … Read more

Billy Elliott Announces West End Closure

News, Touring, West End
Billy Elliot 5th Birthday

Producers have announced that after 4600 performances, Billy Elliot will close at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 9 April 2016 to allow for planned theatre refurbishments. The closure will co-incide with the shows eleventh birthday, with the show having been seen by over 5.25 million people in London and nearly 11 million people worldwide. Billy Elliot has grossed over $800 million worldwide and is the winner of over 80 theatre awards internationally. Based on the Oscar nominated film released in 2000 and set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever. Elton John said: “I’ve said it before and it still remains true, Billy Elliot has been one of the most rewarding … Read more

Billy Elliot UK Tour

News, Touring
Billy Elliot UK Tour

It has just been announced that Billy Elliot the musical, is to tour the UK for the first time ever in 2016. Based on the highly successful film, the show is set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike and follows Billy’s journey from boxing to ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever. Billy Elliot has been acclaimed the world over and has now been seen by over 10.5 million people across five continents and is the recipient of over 80 awards internationally including ten Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards. Eric Fellner (Producer) said today: “Having recently celebrated ten extraordinary years of Billy Elliot the Musical in London, we are delighted to have the opportunity to bring a new touring production of this inspiring show to fans across the … Read more

Billy Elliot 10th Anniversary Performance

Gallery, News, West End
Billy Elliot turns 10

Last night, Billy Elliot celebrated ten years in the West End. The show’s gala opening night took place exactly 10 years ago yesterday. To co-incide with the 10th anniversary, the show announced that it will launch it’s first UK tour in 2016 with dates to be announced shortly. In attendance last night were Elton John, Stephen Daldry, and Lee Hall. Elton John said: “When Stephen, Lee and I started work on Billy Elliot the Musical I knew this was going to be something very special. 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 ten years and forty London Billy Elliots later, I couldn’t be more proud of this extraordinary show. Billy Elliot in particular means … Read more

Billy Elliot – 40 Billys and 10 Years Later…

News, West End
Thomas Hazelby joins the cast of Billy Elliot to play the show's 40th Billy

As Billy Elliot celebrates 10 years in London, Thomas Hazelby from Doncaster becomes the fortieth boy to play the title role in the award-winning musical. Ten year old Thomas Hazelby said: “I am 10 years old and I live with my mum, dad and sister Maya in Doncaster. I started dancing at the age of three at my mum’s dance school, Hazelbiz Performers Academy. I was lucky enough to win my first national award when I was five years old at the British Championships. Before auditioning for Billy Elliot I trained with Miss Hatton on the Royal Ballet School Associate programme. The best day of my life was when I was offered the role of Billy Elliot. My favourite hobby is football, and I support Manchester United. Before joining Billy, I played for South Kirby Knights FC as well as for the Norton Junior school cricket team. I would like … Read more