MEDIA RELEASE:
For immediate release January 19 2008
BILLY BREAKS BOX-OFFICE RECORD
Billy Elliot the Musical has broken the box-office record at Her Majesty’s Theatre, becoming the venue’s
most successful show to date in terms of sales revenue taken in one week.
For the week of performances commencing January 6, gross box-office takings equalled $1,256,957,
surpassing the current record, set by Miss Saigon in April 2007 by over $100,000.
Now a global phenomenon, Billy Elliot the Musical opened in London’s West End May 2005 to rave
reviews. The Australian production opened in Sydney November 2007, where it ran for a year – one of
only three shows in the last decade to play a season of this duration or more. The Melbourne season,
which opened on New Year’s Eve, immediately follows a Broadway production, which opened in
November to extraordinary reviews and was recently named Time Magazine’s ‘#1 Show of 2008’.
Executive Producer, Louise Withers said, ‘We’re thrilled with the way theatregoers in Melbourne have
taken Billy into their hearts. To have set such a milestone in a competitive market speaks enormously
about the heart and universal appeal of this unique and inspirational show”.
Critics around the world have been united in their praise for Billy Elliot the Musical. In the UK, The Mail
on Sunday wrote, “Truly electrifying…this heart-stopping show is a must-see.” The Sunday Express
raved, “
! Pure magic.” And The Daily Telegraph proclaimed it simply, “The greatest British
musical I have ever seen.” The New York Post hailed Billy as “The best show you will ever see.”
The Australian wrote, “Billy Elliot should come with a warning: abandon cynicism all ye who enter. Open
your heart, get out the tissues and surrender.” The Sydney Morning Herald raved, “Joyously entertaining,
Billy Elliot bursts into starry-eyed showbiz magic … A rapturous pinnacle of self-expression and
fulfilment.”
Melbourne’s Age raved, “2008 saved the best for last…Billy Elliot the Musical...a near perfect
performance of a brilliant production”, and the Herald Sun said, “Billy Elliot makes you think anything is
possible.”
Set in the North East of England, Billy Elliot the Musical is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good
celebration of one boy’s dreams set against the historic British miners’ strike of 1984/85.
Based on the film of the same name, the story follows the journey of a young boy raised in a small mining
town who, after stumbling across a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson, realises that his
future lies not in the boxing ring, but on stage as a dancer.
Directed by Stephen Daldry, with music by Sir Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, Billy Elliot the
Musical is the ‘must see’ show of 2009 and is playing in Melbourne for a strictly limited 26-week season.
BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL
Her Majesty’s Theatre
Bookings through Ticketek: 1300 555 593
Tickets now on sale for performances through to March 29
PLEASE NOTE: Contains some strong language. Not advised for children under 10.
For media enquiries, please contact JPPR: JP Bolton
Mob: +61 434 600 888
Email: jp@jppr.com.au
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