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Billy Elliot 'nearly didn't get made'
If it was not for Elton John, Billy Elliot the Musical may never have been made.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
On the eve of its fifth anniversary in the West End, the creators of Billy Elliot the Musical have been speaking about its success.
However, in an interview with the Telegraph, director Stephen Daldry revealed that the musical version nearly did not get made because he and writer Lee Hall were not sure it would work.
Elton John, who penned most of the songs, convinced them otherwise and Billy Elliot has now been seen by 4.5 million people worldwide.
Mr Daldry said he prefers the stage version in many ways, as it allows the audience to see how Billy's community faced disintegration after the miners' strike.
"There is something unbelievably thrilling about watching a little kid at the limit of his ability achieving something extraordinary. The audience can feel it. It is a kinetic experience," he commented.
Mr Daldry concluded by saying that the method of wearing their hearts on their sleeves to tell the story clearly hit home with the viewing public.
Billy Elliot swept the board at last year's Tony Awards and is soon to open in Korea.
