Billy Elliot The Musical triumphs at Tony Awards
Story by Lizzie Guilfoyle
YESTERDAY evening, June 7, 2009, Stephen Daldry’s production of Billy Elliot the Musical celebrated a record number of wins – ten in total – at the Tony Awards.
As well as Best Musical – an award it has previously received in both the UK and Australia – Billy Elliot the Musical also won the Tony for Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Daldry), Best Choreography (Peter Darling), Best Book of a Musical (Lee Hall), Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara), Best Orchestrations (Martin Koch), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Ian MacNeil), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Paul Arditti) and Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Rick Fisher).
The ten Tony’s – a record for a British Musical – brings the total number of awards the show has won internationally to 73.
At a star-studded ceremony at Radio City Musical Hall in New York, the three Billys – David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, Kiril Kulish – received a standing ovation from the 6,000 strong audience as they received their award. Shortly after, Liza Minnelli presented Elton John, Stephen Daldry, Eric Fellner and Sally Greene with the Tony for Best Musical. They were joined on stage by a delighted cast, production team and co-producers.
Since its world premiere in May 2005 at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre, Billy Elliot the Musical has played to over 3.5 million people worldwide including HM The Queen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Hilary Clinton, Bill Gates, Hugh Jackman, Michael Jackson, Nicole Kidman, Ben Stiller and Anna Wintour.
Last month, the London production celebrated its fourth birthday and its 1,700th performance as 12 year old Oliver Gardner from Bath joined 12 year old Tom Holland from Kingston-upon-Thames, 12 year old Tanner Pflueger from Norfolk, Nebraska, 13 year old Fox Jackson-Keen from Hornsey, London and 12 year old Bradley Wilson from Doncaster, to play the title role.
The Australian production, which opened at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney in November 2007, has now transferred to Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne. Meanwhile, the Broadway production, which opened in October 2008, continues its hugely successful run at the Imperial Theatre.
Set in the North East of England, Billy Elliot the Musical is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy’s dreams. It was adapted for stage from the Universal Pictures/Studio Canal film which starred Jamie Bell in the title role.
The London production is currently booking until April 3, 2010.
Tickets: £19.50 – £65.
Times: Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm; Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.
Another British director, Matthew Warchus, was also successful, winning the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage, which in turn, scooped the Best Play Award. Meanwhile, The Norman Conquests took Best Revival of a Play.
Best Costume Design for both a play and a musical went to British contenders – to Anthony Ward for the Donmar’s transfer of Mary Stuart and Tim Hatley for Sam Mendes’ Neal Street Production of Shrek The Musical.
And veteran British actress Angela Lansbury won her fifth Tony, in this instance for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in Blithe Spirit. She’s one of only five actresses to have done so.
For a complete list of nominees and winners, visit the Official Website