The West End production of Billy Elliot decided to include the musical number 'Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher' in the show last night, following the death of the former British Prime Minister.
The producers consulted the cast prior to the performance who decided that the final decision should be put to an audience vote. The song is highly critical of Thatcher and her government and containing lyrics such as “We all celebrate today/ 'Cause it's one day closer to your death”.
Apparently the result of the audience vote was near-unanimous to go ahead with the song as usual. Director Stephen Daldry explained “Following yesterday's announcement about the passing of Baroness Thatcher, and after much discussion amongst the company of Billy Elliot The Musical, it was decided to open up the decision whether to perform ‘Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher’ to the audience who attended the show last night. After an explanation of the song's content and historical context from the stage, the audience voted overwhelmingly for its inclusion in the second act.”
The Audience, starring Helen Mirren, also features Haydn Gwynne portraying Margaret Thatcher. No changes were made to the production of Peter Morgan's play last night. However, prior to the performance Peter Morgan introduced himself to the audience at the Gielgud Theatre, thanked them for coming and, before wishing them a fantastic evening, said: “Today one of the great figures of post-war British political life and the longest-serving Prime Minister of the twentieth century, and therefore the participant of the greatest number of the audiences with the queen, died. I just wanted to mark that occasion this evening with all of you.”
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