The Australian Ballet, The Australian Ballet School and Billy Elliot the Musical have embarked on an exciting partnership to broaden the profile of dance and ballet in Australia.

Based on the film of the same name, Billy Elliot the Musical is an inspirational story following the journey of a young boy raised in a small British 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. The film captured hearts and minds around the world after its release in October 2000 and along with the success of the stage musical has resulted in a significant increase worldwide in the number of young boys interested in ballet, which has come to be known as the ‘Billy Elliot effect.’

The partnership will build on the relationship formed with The Australian Ballet School in 2007 when Lochlan Denholm, one of the four young actors who currently alternate the title role in Billy Elliot, undertook intensive training at the school in advance of commencing rehearsals for the musical, which opened to critical acclaim in Sydney in December 2007.

Young cast members from Billy Elliot attended The Australian Ballet’s annual Boys’ Day on April 14 at the Opera House in Sydney. Boys’ Day is designed to introduce male dance students to the company’s dancers. The students take class together, then meet and talk with The Australian Ballet’s male dancers before watching them take their morning class.

Several Billy Elliot cast members will also attend the opening night performance of The Australian Ballet’s production of Jerome Robbins – a celebration at the Sydney Opera House on April 30. 

Meet the Ballet Boys of The Australian Ballet
Read more about Billy Elliot the Musical
View images from Boys’ Day in Sydney
Attend Boys’ Day in Adelaide, Brisbane or Melbourne