Producers of Billy Elliot the Musical have announced that the show will play its final London performance in support of East Durham Trust, a charity based in Easington, Co. Durham, a former mining town and the setting for Billy Elliot’s iconic story.
Tickets for the final performance will be released for sale today (Tuesday 1st March 2016, 2pm) via the Victoria Palace Theatre box office, with all proceeds from ticket sales for this performance being donated to East Durham Trust.
As Billy Elliot celebrates its eleventh birthday and after 4,600 performances, due to the theatre's previously announced refurbishment programme, the multi award-winning West End production will play its final performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 9th April 2016.
The show has been seen to date by nearly 5.4 million people in London, while globally it has been seen by almost 11 million people, grossed over $800 million and won more than 80 theatre awards. The first UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliot - currently booking until May 2017 - opened in February at the Theatre Royal Plymouth where it will play until 2nd April before visiting Sunderland, Bradford, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester, Southampton and Birmingham.
East Durham Trust is the flagship voluntary and community sector organisation for the East Durham area, established to counteract the effects of social and economic deprivation through a range of practical, community based programmes. The Trust is also the community engagement partner in the Arts Council-supported ‘East Durham Creates’ initiative, working to increase arts engagement for local people with little or no access to artistic or cultural activities.
Eric Fellner, Producer and Co-Chairman, Working Title Films, said: “We are delighted to be supporting East Durham Trust, a charity that resonates only too well with Lee Hall’s heart-warming story of Billy and his family. Billy’s journey has been something we are extremely proud of and we are delighted that proceeds from our final performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre will go to helping the local communities in County Durham.”
Malcolm Fallow, CEO of East Durham Trust, said: “I want to thank everyone involved in Billy Elliot the Musical for their incredible support. This is a fantastic gesture and it will genuinely be appreciated by the people of East Durham and make a significant difference to our ongoing work in the community.”
Brought to life by the award-winning creative team behind the film including writer Lee Hall (book and lyrics), director Stephen Daldry and choreographer Peter Darling, joined by Elton John who composed the show’s score, Billy Elliot features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design is by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.
Billy Elliot's final cast includes Ruthie Henshall and Deka Walmsley as Mrs Wilkinson and Dad respectively as well as Matthew Seadon-Young as Tony, Gillian Elisa as Grandma, Howard Crossley as George, Claudia Bradley as Dead Mum, Phil Snowden as Mr Braithwaite and James Butcher as Older Billy.
Photo Credit: Alastair Muir
It will be sorely missed!!
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