Reduced version of Billy Elliot available to schools and youth groups

Schools and youth groups can now perform a reduced version of Billy Elliot the Musical as part of a new initiative called Billy Youth Theatre which has been set up to mark five years of the musical’s run in the West End. 

Billy Youth Theatre is open to schools and youth groups in England, Scotland and Wales, and to performers aged 10-19.  It is intended to give young people the opportunity to perform a shortened version of the show which has been put together by the writer Lee Hall and musical supervisor, Martin Koch.

Directors of the participating groups will be invited to London in December to attend a one day workshop, with contributions from Hall, resident director Nick Evans and resident choreographers Lee Proud and Damian Jackson.

The various productions of Billy Elliot will then be invited to perform excerpts from at showcases held at major regional theatres between April and June 2010, with some groups being offered the opportunity to perform at a Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala at the Victoria Palace Theatre in July 2010.