THE Grand Opera House, York, is one of only four theatres nationally that will partner with Billy Youth Theatre to play host to regional showcases throughout May and June.
A number of participating groups will be invited to perform excerpts from their productions of Billy Elliot The Musical at the showcase in York on May 22 at 7.30pm.
Further showcases will take in Poole, Sunderland and Milton Keynes.
Subsequently, a selection of groups will be offered the chance to performing at the Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala at the Victoria Palace Theatre in July.
Billy Youth Theatre, an initiative from the producers of Billy Elliot The Musical, gives schools and youth groups nationwide the opportunity to stage their own productions of the award-winning show.
Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall says: “I’m delighted to see these great regional theatres give a platform to our local youth theatre productions of Billy Elliot The Musical. The showcases are a great opportunity to see young people bring the story of Billy Elliot to life in their local communities.
“York’s Grand Opera House is one of my favourite theatres in the country. It’s really thrilling to have Billy Youth Theatre there and a real privilege for these young performers to be playing on such a great stage.”
Hall and musical supervisor Martin Koch have adapted their original script and orchestrations to produce a shortened version of the show for groups to stage productions as part of Billy Youth Theatre.
Thousands of young performers, aged ten to 19, are now part of a scheme open to schools and youth groups in England, Scotland and Wales. Last year shows were staged in North Yorkshire by Ryedale Youth Theatre and York Stage Musicals.
Billy Elliot The Musical has run at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London since 2005 and is now playing at the Imperial Theater on Broadway, the LG Arts Center in Seoul, South Korea, and on tour across North America On March 1, the show will open at the Canon Theatre, Toronto, and a further production will follow in Japan later this year, while Germany and Holland are in the pipeline too.
• For Billy Youth Theatre showcase tickets at the Grand Opera House, phone 0844 847 2322 or book online at grandoperahouseyork.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here