Leicester's Curve theatre is to stage a new production of the musical Billy Elliot which will run for six weeks in summer 2022.
Curve’s artistic director Nikolai Foster will direct and choreographer will be Lucy Hind. Set and costumes will be designed by Colin Richmond, with lighting by Curve associate Ben Cracknell. Full casting is to be announced.
Based on Stephen Daldry's BAFTA-winning 2000 film featuring Jamie Bell and Julie Walters, Billy Elliot the Musical features music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall. The musical premièred at London's Victoria Palace Theatre in 2005 and went on to win a host of international awards including four Oliviers and ten Tony Awards.
Foster and Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford said, "we’re beyond excited to share Lee Hall and Elton John's astonishing musical Billy Elliot with Curve audiences.
"Billy Elliot is a musical filled with incredible characters, epic ideas and, at its heart, is the story of a young boy who has the passion and courage to dance down a different path from the one prescribed for him.
“We’re hugely grateful we’ve been entrusted to create the first new UK production for our audiences in Leicester. We’re proud to present this mighty musical which recognises the value of culture in our society, the importance of expressing your truest self and gives a voice to the courageous working-class communities who are depicted in Lee Hall's astonishing play.”
Billy Elliot will run at Curve from 7 July until 14 August 2022.