Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

Billy Elliot tells the story of a young boy from a coal mining village in northeast England who transcends class and circumstance to become a ballet star. The musical is set against the backdrop of the 1984-5 miners strike, which tragically affects the whole village. Billy is looked after by his father, brother, and grandfather, after his mother’s death a few years earlier. They are not well off and have no experience with, or tolerance for, the arts. His dad and brother are totally against the idea of him learning to dance but Billy finds himself drawn towards the ballet world. As a result, Billy is forced to take his boxing lesson money and use it secretly for dance lessons from local dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson. She quickly notices that Billy is a prodigy and takes him under her wing. Soon, despite his family’s resistance, Mrs. Wilkinson manages to get Billy an audition with The Royal Ballet School in London. The village learns to overcome their ill-founded prejudices and, along with Billy’s father, come around to support Billy's dream to become a dancer as Billy defies the odds and is finally accepted into The Royal Ballet School.

Show Information

Book
Lee Hall
Music
Elton John
Lyrics
Lee Hall
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Billy Elliot (2000 film)
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2005
Genres
Drama, Comedy
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
early 1980s, county durham, united kingdom
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Heavy
Ideal For
Large Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Early Teen, Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Elderly, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Billy Elliot

Lead

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

Jackie Elliot

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Tony Elliot

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Mr Braithwaite

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Michael

Supporting

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

Mum

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

George

Supporting

Male

Grandma

Supporting

Female

Alto

Debbie

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Mrs. Wilkinson

Supporting

Female

Alto

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

The Stars Look Down - Ensemble

*Shine - Mrs. Wilkinson, Mr. Braithwaite, Billy & Ballet Girls

Grandma’s Song - Grandma

*Solidarity - Ballet Girls, Mrs. Wilkinson, Police, Miners

*Expressing Yourself - Billy, Michael

The Letter (Mum’s Letter) - Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy, Mum

*Born To Boogie - Mrs. WIlkinson, Mr. Braithwaite, Billy

*Angry Dance - Billy, Ensemble

Act Two

Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher - Tony, George, Ensemble

Deep Into the Ground - Jackie

*Swan Lake [Dream Ballet] - Billy, Older Billy

He Could Be a Star - Jackie & Tony (*He Could Go and Shine in US and UK tour productions)

*Electricity - Billy

Once We Were Kings - Ensemble

The Letter (Billy’s Reply) - Billy, Mum

*Finale - Ensemble

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher