Leicester Mercury

County youngsters­News wowing the crowds in hit stage musical

STAGE BEING LIT UP BY LEICESTERS­HIRE KIDS

- By STAFF REPORTER curveonlin­e.co.uk

A TALENTED cast of youngsters from Leicesters­hire are appearing alongside West End and Broadway performers in the latest Curve musical.

The child stars, none of whom have any profession­al experience, are lighting up the stage in Billy Elliot the Musical and wowing crowds with their talents.

They are appearing alongside Sally Ann Triplett, a familiar face on stage and screen, as Billy’s teacher, Mrs Wilkinson.

There are 16 young actors from Leicesters­hire on stage for the musical, directed by Nikolai Foster and based on the BAFTA-winning 2000 film about the coming of age of a young boy in a northern mining community who has ambitions to become a ballet dancer.

Set during the miners’ strike of the mid-1980s, when Margaret Thatcher was at her most powerful, it tells of the prejudices Billy has to overcome in a County Durham community where men mine and boys box.

Billy Elliot the Musical is a tale of determinat­ion, acceptance and daring to be different.

Based on Stephen Daldry’s acclaimed 2000 film, with music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, it features incredible songs such as Solidarity, The Letter, He Could Be a Star and the show-stopping Electricit­y.

One of the local stars, Ellie Copping, of Market Harborough, said: “After a long period of not being able to perform on stage due to the Covid pandemic, I am really excited to be getting back on stage.

“I am over the moon to be part of Billy Elliot and back at Curve. I am enjoying it and making lots of new friends.”

Lily Corkill, of Kirby Muxloe, said: “Being in Billy Elliot is such a fantastic experience.

“I am working with some very talented performers and I’m hoping to learn as much as possible”.

The Made at Curve production is choreograp­hed by Lucy Hind, with musical supervisor and musical director George Dyer.

The set is designed by Michael Taylor with costumes designed by Edd Lindley.

The show runs until August 20. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 0116 242 3595, or in-person at Curve’s box office.

Alternativ­ely, you can book tickets online at:

 ?? MARC BRENNER ?? DANCE STARS: Lily Corkill, Sophia Pirie, Ava Mia Komisarczu­k, Jaden Shentall-Lee as Billy, Nesisa Mhindu and Miley Dalton
MARC BRENNER DANCE STARS: Lily Corkill, Sophia Pirie, Ava Mia Komisarczu­k, Jaden Shentall-Lee as Billy, Nesisa Mhindu and Miley Dalton
 ?? MARC BRENNER ?? BIG HITTER: Craig Armstrong as George and Birstall’s Prem Masani as Michael
MARC BRENNER BIG HITTER: Craig Armstrong as George and Birstall’s Prem Masani as Michael

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