IT’S the foot stomping no-holds barred musical that mined magic from the mayhem of the Miners’ Strike…

Billy Elliot is all set to ‘Boogie’ this week at Monmouth Comprehensive School’s state-of-the-art theatre auditorium.

And the heartwarming tale of Billy dancing his way to ballet school and beyond from the chaos and confusion of industrial strife stars some 50 Year 9-13 students who have been readying the show for months.

Performing and Expressive Arts Faculty Leader, Amy Ritter, said: “The final touches have been applied and the cast and crew are looking forward to performing to packed audiences.

“Students are giving stellar performances of this gritty and emotive show which features the well-known songs Electricity, We Were Born to Boogie and Expressing Yourself. It’s a show that shouldn’t be missed.”

There are four nightly performances from this evening (Wednesday, January 29) at 7pm plus an afternoon show on the Saturday (February 1) at 2pm.

Performances will feature alternate actors playing Billy Elliot and his best friend Michael, with Harry Cummins and Will Hevicon performing on Wednesday and Friday nights and Saturday afternoon, and Jacob Deighton and Pawel Deja on Thursday and Saturday nights.

Set amid the anger and despair of the Miners’ Strike in the 1980s, Billy stumbles upon a ballet class led by Mrs Wilkinson, memorably played in the hit film by Julie Walters.

He joins in and soon discovers a natural talent, but when his striking dad finds out he’s taken up dancing rather than football, all hell breaks loose.

Turmoil reigns as miners and police, and Dad and Billy, clash, before the hard hitting backdrop recedes to reveal a heartwarming story of redemption, as his father finally reaches out to Billy and embraces the youngsters’ dreams.

The show follows on from the school’s successes of Made in Dagenham and Anything Goes and tickets are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk

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