Fall in Love with... Billy Elliot

Image Credit: Peter Stoop Photography.

Newcastle is set to don ballet shoes and tutus this October as one of this century’s most thrilling pieces of musical theatre comes to town for the first time.

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Billy Elliot The Musical was a West End and Broadway phenomenon, charming audiences and critics alike, with the New York Post declaring it “THE BEST SHOW YOU WILL EVER SEE!”.

More than 12 million people across five different continents have fallen in love with this masterpiece.

Featuring iconic music by the legendary Elton John, Billy Elliot The Musical is a coming-of-age story of the motherless boy who begins taking ballet lessons, only to discover an entirely new world awaiting him.

Set in a northern English town during the miners’ strike of 1984/5, the show follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to ballet class, where he uncovers a passion for dance which unites his family, inspires his community and changes his life forever. Brought to life by the award-winning creative team behind the smash hit film, it is an extraordinary theatrical experience.

Billy Elliot The Musical will make its Newcastle debut at the magnificent Civic Theatre on 7 October. Brought to town by the producers of 2022’s musical theatre event of the year, Jersey Boys, the Very Popular Theatre Company is one of only four companies granted a licence to stage this show outside of an Australian capital city.

A stellar cast has been assembled, including Australian Musical Theatre leading light, Chloe Dallimore, as the dance teacher, Mrs Wilkinson, starring alongside a host of Newcastle Theatre luminaries, including Danny Folpp, Marty Worrall and Felicity Biggins.

Up-and-coming triple threats Lewis Nicholson and Fergus Paterson have been double-cast in the titular role of Billy Elliot, with Conway Oakhill-Saarenpaa and Charlie Murphy playing Billy’s best friend, Michael. Charlie recently starred on the West End as Michael Banks in Mary Poppins.

Showcasing the very best of Dance and Drama on offer in Newcastle, the Very Popular Theatre Company is collaborating with the National College of Dance to train the four young leads.

Billy Elliot The Musical will play for a strictly limited three-week season at the Civic Theatre from 7 October 2023. Tickets are available from the Civic Theatre ticket office, online at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au or phone 02 4929 1977.