Spirit of Billy Elliot spreads across the region

A range of special experiences are being staged to coincide with the arrival of Billy Elliot the Musical to the region.
Spirit of Billy Elliot project at Easington C of E Primary School.
From left show performer Kris Manuel and Resident Director Ed BurnsideSpirit of Billy Elliot project at Easington C of E Primary School.
From left show performer Kris Manuel and Resident Director Ed Burnside
Spirit of Billy Elliot project at Easington C of E Primary School. From left show performer Kris Manuel and Resident Director Ed Burnside

Sunderland Empire’s Creative Learning Department, East Durham Creates and Easington Colliery Heritage Group have been working closely to celebrate and inspire Easington’s ‘Spirit of Billy Elliot’ through a number of projects to connect local schools and residents even closer to the production.

Workshops with Easington schools are part of the project and is something that was developed by Easington Colliery Heritage Group, inspired by the screening of Billy Elliot the Musical Live in 2014 at Easington Welfare Centre and the tour arriving at Sunderland Empire.

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As part of the project pupils at Easington Church of England School took part in a workshop led by Ed Burnside, resident director for the Billy Elliot the Musica.

Workshops at the schools, which have been led by members of the award winning production, and covered an introduction to Billy Elliot the Musical have offered pupils the opportunity to learn about bringing a theatre production together.

Hollie Coxon, creative learning manager at Sunderland Empire, said: “It’s such a pleasure to truly bring Billy home through working to connect Easington schools and residents closer to the production.”

A spokesperson for Easington Colliery Heritage Group said: “We are proud that the Spirit of Billy Elliot project is created by the people of Easington for the people of Easington.”