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Kiwi's Tackle Billy Elliot Musical

Lads do football...or boxing...or wrestling. Not friggin' ballet.

Auckland Theatre Company (ATC), in partnership with its new exclusive principal sponsor, ASB, has announced that the ASB season of Billy Elliot the Musical will be the debut production in the new ASB Waterfront Theatre from Friday 7 October, 2016.

Of its new Auckland Theatre Company sponsorship, ASB Executive General Manager Marketing and Communications Roger Beaumont says, "ASB has a strong history of supporting the arts and we're proud to strengthen our ties to this community through an initial four-year principal partnership with Auckland Theatre Company.

"In addition to becoming naming rights sponsor of the ASB Waterfront Theatre, we see our new ATC partnership as a way to continue to foster the arts not only in Auckland but around the country through the excellent work the Auckland Theatre Company does nationally. This is an exciting event for theatre-enthusiasts around the country and we are delighted to bring New Zealand the ASB season of Billy Elliot the Musical," Mr Beaumont says.

Set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984 miners' strike, Billy Elliot the Musical is the inspirational story of a boy's struggle against the odds to make his dream come true.

A regular eleven-year-old lad, Billy discovers he prefers a ballet class to his regular boxing lesson. While boys doing ballet is an issue for his macho father and brother, Billy eventually wins over his family and the entire community, with the support of his beloved teacher and passion for dance.

Funny, uplifting and spectacular, the New Zealand premiere of Billy Elliot the Musical will be a joyous night at the ASB Waterfront Theatre. Based on the smash-hit movie, Billy Elliot the Musical is a heartfelt story, with book and lyrics written by Lee Hall and music written by the legendary Elton John.

Then there is the dancing - huge, fire-in-the-belly dancing. The search for young, talented performers to play the role of Billy, his friend Michael and the other children in his dance class has begun. For information about the open auditions go to www.asbbillyelliot.co.nz/childrensaudition.

Of writing the original music, Composer Elton John says, "The story of young Billy had so many parallels to my own childhood. As a child, I dreamt of a career in music...To see Billy literally dance his way out of the bleak and cruel environment created by the British mining industry's demise was inspirational. To see Billy's family rally behind his artistic gift moved me to tears."[1]

Writer and lyricist Lee Hall says, "If Billy Elliot is about one thing, it is that we are all capable of making lives for ourselves which are full of joy and self-expression. Whilst we might not all become ballet dancers, we are capable of finding moments of real profundity and creativity whatever our circumstances... If Billy Elliot conveys any message at all, I hope it's that it is possible to fight back and resist and it is possible to move on without forgetting where you come from."

Auckland Theatre Company Presents Billy Elliot the Musical

 
 
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