Photo Coverage: Billy Elliot Moves to Durham!

Billy Elliot, The Musical has officially taken over Durham, NC. The lobbies on all three floors of the Durham Performing Arts Center are littered with electric cables, costumes, props and even a specially installed dance floor for rehearsals. The President’s Club has been transformed into a school room for the 21 children appearing in the musical who, when they aren’t rehearsing, are being instructed by three tutors. The magnificent theatre itself is strewn with papers, lighting gels, and electric and sound equipment. There is a palpable sense of creation in the air as Billy Elliot prepares to open in Durham at the end of the month.

The cast and crew began arriving last week after more than a month of rehearsal in New York City. When all is said and done, 109 artists and technicians will come to Durham to launch this production. Many arrived last week to prepare the theatre, and the rest of the cast and crew are beginning the technical rehearsals this week. While the cast and crew are thrilled to kick off this tour in Durham, they haven’t had much of an opportunity to get outside the theatre. Justin Martin, the Associate Director, says that some of the cast might get the opportunity to try out the State Fair in Raleigh next week. Martin, a native of Australia, is especially excited to try out some of the Fair’s gastronomical delights like corn dogs. Apparently, these are not readily available “down under.”

Members of the press, local business leaders, and special guests were recently treated to a spectacular behind-the-scenes peek at the musical. On hand was director Stephen Daldry, who was nominated for an Oscar for his direction of the film version of Billy Elliot. Mr. Daldry introduced several musical numbers and all five “Billys”. That’s right; the title role is so demanding that a total of five actors will rotate through performances in Durham. Mr. Daldry explained that the role of Billy requires excellent skills in tap, ballet, and modern dance as well as tremendous vocal talents, strong acting ability, including use of a thick accent, and incredible stamina. In fact, in addition to dance classes and voice lessons, the actors playing Billy take regular cardio classes to build and maintain endurance.

Billy Elliot, which tells the uplifting story of a boy from a blue-collar family who steps out of a boxing ring and into ballet shoes, will play the Durham Performing Arts Center beginning October 30, 2010. The 10 time Tony Award-winning production has been hailed as “The most electric and passionate show in years” by Time Out, and Ben Brantley of the New York Times said that Billy Elliot, "Sends audiences into a mass swoon!"