The musical version of Billy Elliot has made another scheduling change. The show will now begin previews at the Victoria Palace Theatre on March 24 and open on May 11, over a month after it was originally planned to begin. In an unusual move, producers have also chosen to play a significantly reduced schedule during the long preview period; the show will primarily play Thursday through Saturday with a few Monday performances.
Billy Elliot tells the tale of a boy torn between his love of dance and his family. The movie was nominated for three Golden Globes, three Oscars and 13 Baftas. The film's major creative forces--director Stephen Daldry, writer Lee Hall and choreographer Peter Darling--are all working on the stage show, which features a score by Elton John.
As we previously reported, the announced Newcastle tryout for the tuner has been called off, and Billy Elliot is now opening directly in the West End.