Billy Elliot has returned to the Sunderland Empire after a decade, earning rave reviews, with Wallsend actor Deka Walmsley back in the role of Billy's dad.
The show, which last ran on Wearside ten years ago to repeated standing ovations, began its new UK tour in Sunderland last week. Walmsley, who played Billy's dad at the Palace Theatre in London for more than four years, has rejoined the production.
A decade on, Billy Elliot returns to Sunderland
This year marks 26 years since the film first told the story of a young boy with an unexpected talent for dance. The movie went on to win BAFTA awards and earn Oscar nominations. Less than five years later, Billy Elliot moved from screen to stage, with music by Sir Elton John.
After runs in the West End and on Broadway, the show last toured a decade ago with an acclaimed stint at the Empire. The new production features four new Billys, including one from America, alongside Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph and Liam Mower, the original West End Billy.
Walmsley on the emotional pull of the stage show
Walmsley said the stage production carries an emotional weight that the film does not. "I think that's the big thing about the stage production," he told ChronicleLive. "The film is superb, but on stage the story becomes even more emotional. I always say that the first half is Mrs Wilkinson's and the second half belongs to Billy's dad, as we start to find out more about him and his relationships with his family."
He added that the new touring production differs slightly from the one he last performed in London. "The new touring production is actually slightly different to the one I last did in London and the changes that have been made are for the better. There's a new scene in it for me where we get to learn more about Billy's relationship with his father."
A story rooted in the North East
Set against the backdrop of the Miners' Strike, the show resonates strongly with regional audiences. Walmsley, who is proud of his North East roots, said he has felt the excitement from locals since the tour began.
"It's been great to see just how excited people are up here that it's back and beginning the tour, right here," he said. "It's such a brilliantly written piece and I think people in the North East are quite rightly extremely proud of it, but also rather protective of it too. They see it as almost 'their show' and you really feel that. There are so many themes in Billy Elliot that people can relate to, particularly billy's dad's journey in it and how, with time, he really learns how to speak and listen to his son."
Billy Elliot runs at the Sunderland Empire until November 28, with tickets available from ATG or the Empire box office.
