Applications Invited For Billy Youth Theatre 2011

Following the enormous success of Billy Youth Theatre 2010, the producers of Billy Elliot The Musical are delighted to announce the second year of this countrywide scheme where participating schools and youth groups are given the opportunity to stage their own production of this internationally award-winning show. Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall, together with Martin Koch (Musical Supervision and Orchestrations), have adapted their original script and orchestrations to produce a shortened version of the show exclusively for groups staging local productions as part of Billy Youth Theatre.

115 groups and over 5,000 young people took part in Billy Youth Theatre 2010. From Stirling to Southampton groups staged productions of Billy Elliot locally, with invited groups going on to perform at seven regional showcases. In July this year 14 groups took part in the BYT West End Gala at the Victoria Palace Theatre performing Lee Hall's adapted version of Billy Elliot The Musical in front of a sell-out house that includEd Hall as well as Billy Elliot director, Stephen Daldry.

From 29 November 2010, Connor Lawson, a former Billy Youth Theatre participant, will join the London cast of Billy Elliot The Musical in the role of Billy's best friend Michael. In July this year Connor played the role of Michael in Shotton Hall Theatre School's performance at the 2010 Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala. Twelve year old year old Connor is from the former mining town of Shotton, County Durham, where many of his family including his grandfather and great grandfather earned their livings working in the mines. Connor started drama classes when he was 6 years old and went on to join the Shotton Hall Theatre School where his passion for drama was realised. After his performance at the Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala earlier this year, Connor attended Newcastle auditions for Billy Elliot The Musical and was invited to London to meet the Billy Elliot creative team after which he was offered the role of Michael.

Applications for Billy Youth Theatre 2011 are invited from schools and established youth organisations in England, Scotland and Wales. Participating performers must be aged 10 - 19 on 18 March, 2011. Between May and June 2011, regional showcases will be held at professional theatres across the country, at which invited groups will be asked to perform an excerpt from their production. In July 2011, selected groups from around the country will be invited to perform at the Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London. Applications will open on 11 October 2010.

To support and encourage the local productions, the directors of the participating groups will be given a unique opportunity to come to London in December this year to take part in a specially created all day workshop led by the award-winning team that brings Billy Elliot to life each day on the London stage.

Lee Hall, who originally conceived the idea behind Billy Youth Theatre, said: "I was completely overwhelmed by the response to our first Billy Youth Theatre. The level of energy and commitment from everyone involved was exceptional. I hope we can repeat the excitement and enthusiasm in our second year. We are looking forward to getting started."

Full details of how to apply for the Billy Youth Theatre and updates throughout the project, go to www.billyyouththeatre.com

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

Based on the Oscar nominated film, Billy Elliot The Musical is an inspirational story of one boy's dream to realise his ambitions against the odds. Set in the North East of England against the background of the historic 1984/85 miners' strike, Billy pursues his passion for dance in secret to avoid disapproval of his struggling family.

Billy Elliot The Musical features music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, and is directed by Stephen Daldry with choreography by Peter Darling. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design is by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

The critically acclaimed, internationally award-winning musical opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 2005 and has subsequently been seen by over 5 million people worldwide. As well as the current London production, Billy Elliot The Musical has performed in Sydney and Melbourne, is currently performing at the Imperial Theater on Broadway, the Oriental Theatre, Chicago and the LG Arts Centre in Seoul, South Korea. A North American touring production will begin in Durham, North Carolina in November this year, with a further production due to open in Japan in 2011. Productions are also in the works for Germany and Holland.

Since its world premiere, 24 boys have played the title role in London and a total of 44 boys, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film, have now performed the title role worldwide.

Billy Elliot The Musical is presented in London by Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Tiger Aspect and is based on the Universal Pictures/ Studio Canal film.

LISTINGS INFORMATION BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

Booking until: currently booking until 9 April 2011
Theatre: Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, London SW1
Box Office: 0844 811 0055
Tickets: £19.50 - £65.00
Performances: Monday - Saturday at 7.30pm
Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm
Extra Matinee's on Wednesday 29 September at 2.30pm , Tuesday 26th October at 2.30pm & Tuesday 22nd February at 2.30pm
Website: www.billyelliotthemusical.com

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Monday 20 December at 7.30pm Monday 27 December at 7.30pm
Tuesday 21 December at 2.30pm & 7.30pm Tuesday 28 December at 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Wednesday 22 December at 7.30pm Wednesday 29 December at 7.30pm
Thursday 23 December at 2.30pm & 7.30pm Thursday 30 December at 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Friday 24 December at 2.30pm Friday 31 December at 5.30pm
Saturday 25 December - No Performance Saturday 1 January at 2.30pm & 7.30pm

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