The all-star cast of Lee Hall and Elton John's Billy Elliot – The Musical has returned to the Erkel Theatre. The most prominent Hungarian permiere of the summer of 2016 featured many popular stage actors who will reprise their roles this summer accompanied by a new generation of children.
Fans of musicals and dance will not have to miss their favourite genre in the summer break. In July and August 2017, popular Hungarian stage actors, Judit Ladinek, Nikolett Gallusz, Éva Auksz, András Stohl, Sándor Tóth, Kristóf Németh, Boglárka Simon, Renáta Krassy, Eszter Balla, Eszter Csákányi, Ilona Bencze and Ildikó Hűvösvölgyi are joined by newly-cast children actors at the Erkel Theatre to dazzle audiences.
It's 1984. In England's mining towns, life is in upheaval: it is the time of the strikes. Eleven-year-old Billy Elliot lives in one of these towns. His father and older brother have joined the picket line to fight for a better living. His mother is dead. Following in the family tradition, the boy attends boxing lessons, but this violent sport doesn't suit him much. One day he happens upon the girls at their ballet class and is smitten by the dancing.
Will a young boy's artistic talent be able to bring the family and the community together? Will Billy succeed in making his dreams come true?
This musical adaptation which has delighted audiences around the world is a collaboration between Sir Elton John and the winning team behind the original 2000 feature film. We are presenting it in a non-replica production directed by Tamás Szirtes, and with choreography by Ákos Tihanyi. We believe that music and dance are for everyone, and that includes ballet.
This production of Billy Elliot – The Musical was made possible by special permission from Music Theatre International (MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, New York 10019 – Tel.: (1) 212 541 4684, www.mtishows.com) for the use of the material specially issued by it.
The children soloists featured in the Opera’s production have been trained and prepared in partnership with the Madách Dance School and the Hungarian Dance Academy.
Photos by Zsófia Pályi