Last Saturday (June 19th), Curve hosted a regional showcase of Billy Youth Theatre (BYT), a new initiative providing schools and youth groups around the country with the opportunity to perform their own productions of Billy Elliot the Musical.

Almost 300 students from eight participating schools from Leicester, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire and Essex rehearsed all day at the theatre, including learning a group finale. Then, after months of hard work they put on a spectacular performance in the auditorium at Curve.

Among the audience was Nick Evans, Resident Director of Billy Elliot the Musical in London. This scheme has been launched by the producers of the internationally award-winning show to celebrate its fifth year in the West End.

The performance at Curve is one of seven regional showcases that featured a number of the BYT participating groups, including Abington High School in Wigston.

Selected groups from the scheme will be invited to perform as part of a series of regional showcases culminating in the Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala at the Victoria Palace Theatre, Billy’s London home, in July 2010.

Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall, who originally conceived the idea behind Billy Youth Theatre, said: “I am thrilled that so many young people around the country have had the opportunity to bring the story of Billy Elliot to life in their local communities. We have seen some amazing performances from groups throughout the UK and are delighted that some of them are also being given the opportunity to perform at great regional theatres around the country and in the West End. Congratulations to them all.”

Billy Elliot director, Stephen Daldry, added: “The response to the Billy Youth Theatre has surpassed our expectations. To have been able to offer over 5000 young people the chance to have been so closely associated with our production of Billy Elliot The Musical has been a great experience for us. Our creative team have seen some wonderful excerpts of our musical performed by exceptionally talented young people countrywide.”

Billy Youth Theatre includes 115 groups and over 5,000 young people from Stirling to Southampton, from Leicester to Luton. The scheme was open to schools and established youth groups in England, Scotland and Wales, and to performers aged 10-19.

Photo courtesy of Graeme Braidwood.