Sponsored by
West End hopes for big time Billy
THE search is on for the next Billy Elliot in a national competition – and some hopefuls have more of an authentic backdrop than most.
Shotton Hall Theatre School, in Peterlee, is taking part in the Billy Youth Theatre, set up by the producers of the West End version of the inspirational east Durham tale – and young people aged 10-19 could be part of it.
The theatre school is one of 115 groups around the country taking part in the project, which will stage youth productions of the tale of the young boy who shunned a career down the pit for a life on the ballet stage.
The Shotton Hall youngsters will perform their own version of the musical at Easington Social Welfare Centre, in Seaside Lane – the same venue which featured in the popular movie.
Selected groups will be invited to perform extracts of their productions at major regional theatres this summer and hopes are high that east Durham youngsters could make it all the way to the big time.
This will culminate in some of the groups being offered the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Billy and perform at the Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala at the London home of Billy – the Victoria Palace Theatre – in July.
Kathryn Ackley, the community arts co-ordinator at the theatre school, based at Shotton Hall Secondary School, in Peterlee's Waveney Road, said there is a real buzz about the place as the school prepares to stage open auditions tonight.
She said: "We are thrilled to be taking part and Billy Elliot was actually based in our area so it is really close to everybody's hearts.
"Some of the issues in the film are still quite real for local people.
"If we got chosen to go to London it would be absolutely amazing."
Kathryn is a trained actor who read for the part of Debbie in the play at Newcastle's Live Theatre a number of years ago.
She said: "We are the only theatre school in the area taking part and we wanted to open it up to the whole community and make it a big celebration, something where everyone can get involved and really celebrate the area which is at the heart of Billy Elliot.
"It's open to anybody – you never know who's going to walk through the door."
Open auditions will take place at the school tonight and tomorrow from 6pm-8pm, with the castlist revealed on Friday before auditions start on Saturday.
For more information, call the school on (0191) 5862580 or visit www.billyelliotthemusical.com/byt/
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Hartlepool
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
