‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ is a hit musical written by Lee Hall, with music by Sir Elton John. The musical is based on the 2000 movie ‘Billy Elliot’, for which Lee Hall also wrote the screenplay, and the movie was inspired by the novel ‘The Stars Look Down’ by A. J. Cronin. The show can be seen in London, New York, Toronto and across North America thanks to the official tour. ‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ has won many accolades including ten 2009 Tony Awards and is critically acclaimed across the world.

The story sees Billy, an eleven year old boy, choosing ballet over boxing while living with his father and brother during the UK miners’ strike (1984 to 1985) in County Durham, UK. Motherless Billy tries to keep his dance lessons a secret while his family strike and come in to contact with riot police on a daily basis. However, when the secret is revealed that Billy has been spending his boxing money on dance lessons, Billy’s father is enraged and quickly puts a stop to the activities.

Thankfully, Billy has his dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson, who offers Billy free private lessons in order to improve his obvious skills. She then goes on to encourage Billy to audition for a place at the Royal Ballet School in London. However, Billy’s father and brother quickly see to it that Billy is shamed in to not attending his audition, leaving Billy angry and unable to face ballet for nearly a year.

An emotional night for Billy’s father, and an impromptu ballet performance by Billy, see the father finally realize his son’s potential as a dancer. The miners and his father do all they can to help young Billy achieve his dream of attending the expensive Royal Ballet School, so that Billy will not have to work in the dying industry of mining in the future. This decision if frowned upon by Billy’s brother who has difficulty understanding both his brother’s actions and his father’s decisions. However, Billy’s brother will eventually be the key to his dancing future, upon discovery of the discarded acceptance letter from the Royal Ballet School.

Billy Elliot the Musical is a heart-warming tale of triumph over adversity, having hope for the future and daring to dream. It is a musical that will stand the test of time and have much success for years to come, across the world.