Star in Billy Elliot (From South Wales Guardian)

Star in Billy Elliot

12:46pm Thursday 14th January 2010

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TO celebrate five amazing years in the West End, the producers of Billy Elliot the Musical have launched Billy Youth Theatre, an exciting new initiative providing schools and youth groups around the country with the opportunity to perform their own productions of this internationally award-winning show.

Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall, together with Martin Koch (musical supervision and orchestrations), have adapted their original script and orchestrations to produce a shortened version of the show exclusively for groups staging local productions as part of Billy Youth Theatre.

With an amazing 115 separate productions being staged across the country, Billy Youth Theatre is truly a nationwide event and Stagecoach Theatre Arts, Carmarthen, is delighted to announce it will be taking part with a local production planned for the summer term at Stagecoach Carmarthen.

As part of Billy Youth Theatre, selected productions of Billy Elliot from around the country will be invited to perform excerpts at showcases held at major regional theatres between April and June 2010. This will culminate with some groups being offered the opportunity to follow in the steps of Billy and perform at the Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala at the Victoria Palace Theatre, Billy’s London home, in July 2010.

Lee Hall, who originally conceived the idea behind Billy Youth Theatre, said: “I am delighted that young people around the country will have the opportunity to bring the story of Billy Elliot to life in their local communities with the help and guidance of our creative team”.

Billy Elliot director, Stephen Daldry said: “It is very exciting that we are able to offer young people around the country a chance to pour their energy and creativity into local productions of Billy Elliot. We are looking forward to seeing their ideas brought to life.”

Based on the smash hit film, Billy Elliot the Musical is an inspirational story of one boy’s dream to realise his ambition against the odds. Jamie Bell, the star of the hit movie, is among the Stagecoach network alumni. Stagecoach Britain’s first, largest and best part-time theatre school is well known in theatre as the stepping-stone for youngsters with a blossoming love for acting, singing and dancing.

Stagecoach principal Liane Davies is excited to announce Stagecoach Carmarthen’s participation in the exclusive Billy Youth Theatre Project. Billy Elliot is more than a fictional story and Jamie Bell is living proof that Stagecoach really does train its very own Billys. Liane and the Creative team at Carmarthen Stagecoach are passionate about giving local students a chance to realise their ambition and to have a taste of the Billy Elliot experience.

Liane Davies said: “As Elton John, the composer of the music of the hit musical, said ‘the arts can take you to places you never dreamed of’ and that’s exactly what we aim to encourage and develop at Stagecoach Carmarthen.”

To be part of this exciting exclusive project and to enrol to experience the magic of Stagecoach, contact principal Liane Davies on 0845 604 1422 24hrs a day.

Or waste no time and enrol online on www.stagecoach.co.uk/carmarthen.

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