Seen by over 4 million people globally, the Tony Award winning BILLY ELLIOT The Musical is now playing for the first time in Queensland for a limited season at The Star Gold Coast July 6th – August 13th 2023.
Production powerhouse Matt Ward invites you to experience ‘snackable’ preview performances of Billy Elliot The Musical – showcased in Queensland for the first time, prior to select interviews with the cast and creative behind the scenes.
Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring a score by music legend Elton John, Billy Elliot The Musical is an astonishing theatrical experience that will stay with you forever.
Named Time Magazine’s “Best Musical of the Decade!” Billy Elliot The Musical is the spectacular show with heart, humour and passion.
Set in a northern English mining town, against the background of the 1984 miners’ strike, Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against the odds to make his dream come true.
Follow Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and community and changes his life forever.
Billy Elliot The Musical runs from 6 July – 13 August, THE STAR GOLD COAST
Tickets available now at www.ticketek.com.au | for more info on the show www.billyelliotmusical.com.au
Tickets start from $75.00.
BILLY ELLIOT QUEENSLAND PREMIERE CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT
Three of the most talented members of the next generation of Queensland theatre performers will showcase their skills in the next big musical hitting the Gold Coast July 6th, 2023.
Twelve year old triple threats Diesel Batson, Harrison Smith and Ethan Dahl have all landed the role of a young Billy Elliott in the upcoming Star Gold Coast theatre production of the same name.
The four-week season is the latest brought to you by Gold Coast musical theatre powerhouse Matt Ward Entertainment, whose recent credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Mamma Mia!, Wicked and Rent.
Diesel, Harrison and Ethan might be young but they are already stars in the making with plenty of credits to each of their names.
Two of them – Diesel and Ethan – have already performed in one of Matt Ward Entertainment productions, playing Benji in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.
The trio, all from Queensland, were selected after an exhaustive nationwide search for triple threat actors specialising in singing, dancing, specifically ballet and acting.
Harrison, from Brisbane, has been dancing since he was five with hopes of becoming a professional and says landing the main role of Billy Elliot has always been a dream. His repertoire spans ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, musical theatre and hip hop.
“I also take acting and singing classes each week and dance at least six hours per day.”
He’s “really excited” to land the Billy Elliot role, saying: “I love performing in front of big crowds. One of my friends even cried because she was so happy.
“I love being on stage and performing to an audience.”
Diesel also started young, training in dance and acting since the age of two and already has a host of credits to his name.
He has played the lead role in productions Christmas in Storyland plus college productions Aladdin Junior (Aladdin) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Pharaoh).
“This is definitely the biggest role I have undertaken. It is something I have worked towards for so long and I still can’t believe I am finally going to do it. I have spent most of my life performing at every opportunity through my dance studio and in recent years my college as well.”
You name it, he is training for it – he’s done private vocal training, piano and guitar lessons, musical theatre, acting classes and accent training.
“I have spent my life on stage, performing at any opportunity presented.”
He adds that Billy Elliot’s story resonates, given he battles stereotypes to fight to be a dancer – Diesel feels at times to be in the same situation as he pursues his goal of performing on Broadway or the West End.
“Let’s face it, being a male dancer is still not easy. I have been teased and called names and at times I have felt the need to hide that I am a dancer. However, I have learnt to block out the ignorance from my peers in order to continue following my passion.
“It still isn’t easy but it is worth it. Billy faces the same struggles and perseveres to achieve his dreams.”
His fellow Billy Elliot star Ethan, dancing and performing for more than six years as well as doing ballet for the last eight months, says as a young performer, he can “strongly relate to some of the experiences that Billy Elliot has in the story”.
“Like Billy, I too have experienced doubts about what others, especially my peers, might think of my interests, which sometimes differ from expectations. The character of Billy Elliot is a great source of inspiration to me, as he shows such strong dedication and focus in following his goals despite facing significant obstacles. I hope that I too have similar determination and getting this role has already shown me how hard work and persistence can pay off.”
Ethan says years of jazz, hip hop and tap plus musical theatre dance has “given me a solid foundation to quickly pick up ballet”.
“I’m so glad I have added this to my repertoire and worked hard to be ready for this role. My family and family friends are so excited about Billy Elliot and can’t wait to see the show. I have to admit I haven’t told many of my school friends yet, I’m waiting until the announcement is out.”
As far as school ‘show and tell’ goes, that’s a decent announcement.
