Curve Leicester - UK - 13th July – 20th August 2022

[CJ-Rochester]

A new production has been announced for Curve Leicester, running from 7th July – 14th August 2022.

http://theatrefan.co.uk/billy-elliot-br ... leicester/
https://twitter.com/ShaunTossell/status ... vpTNdL3JI0

According to this tweet the production is expected to be different than the traditional Stephen Daldry/Peter Darling version.
https://twitter.com/BazBam/status/14386 ... 83/photo/1

[CJ-Rochester]

Also announced on BroadwayWorld.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/B ... r-20210916

[Real Geordie]

Article today from London Theatre 1 https://www.londontheatre1.com/theatre- ... ly-elliot/

Tickets will go on sale to [various members and support groups] and on general sale from Monday 11 October, all at 12 noon. Tickets can be purchased online at www.curveonline.co.uk or by calling Curve’s Box Office on 0116 242 3595.

Leicester and surrounds was a mining area involved in the strike - but not very supportive. https://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content ... ture.shtml

[JohnH]

For the first time in the UK, the award-winning, world-renowned Billy Elliot the Musical gets a new look in this Made at Curve production, directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Lucy Hind.

Running at Curve from 7 Jul to 14 Aug 2022

ON SALE AT 12PM ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
Thu 30 Sep - Friends
Fri 1 Oct - Supporters
Mon 4 Oct - Members, Groups & Access Customers
Mon 11 Oct - General on sale

https://www.curveonline.co.uk/news/new- ... mmer-2022/

.

[Sheffan]

Some thoughts/observations in no particular order. Feel free to comment:
It might be worth signing up to be a friend of Curve Theatre, Leicester especially if booking multiple performances. Cost is £35 I think and allows pre-sale access from 1 October rather than 11 October. There are likely to be only about 60,000 tickets, whereas for the UK Tour there were 750,000+ Especially if fans come from all over the UK and possibly internationally, demand may exceed supply.
It's always been a little strange that the producers are being so vague compared to other shows. I understand it was the Curve team who approached Working Title.
It looks like the music, script and orchestration will be similar to the original. Lighting, scenery and choreography all likely to be completely new. They say the production is "exclusive" to the Curve, does that mean it won't tour?
If multiple child casts are used, each Billy will probably only do about 15 shows each.
I'm trying to be positive and will book some tickets but like many, I feel a sense of disappointment that there is no news on a full large scale Daldryesque revival. I hope that the Curve team are able to live up to their reputation. Perhaps it is too expensive to tour the original or mount a West End revival. The Curve team say they are great fans of the original so that gives at least some reassurance.
Fans in Japan and South Korea continue to enjoy multiple revivals of the original show. But Dutch, US and UK fans are treated differently, why? I'm not against new stagings per se. I was lucky to travel to see the Sydney production in 2019 and was bowled over. It was a fusion of the London/US/UK tour versions and I was really impressed will all the cast. The producers talked about it being a template for future productions as they had resolved minor staging variations.
I just hope it is not dumbed down. I hope it keeps that unique blend of pathos and humour. Good luck booking tickets everyone and let's enjoy the new take.

[porschesrule]

Know anyone who could play Billy?

What's On Stage poses the question regarding the upcoming BETM production at Curve Leicester.

https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-the ... Zffmw6ICCQ

[porschesrule]

Jo Hawes is handling the casting for the Curve production of BETM. In part the info on the Jo Hawes site states:

"This production will be produced by Leicester Curve and will perform from July 7 to August 14 2022 – there is a possibility that the run may be extended by one week to August 20th. Main rehearsals begin on May 23rd. There will be two weeks of pre-rehearsal for Billy, Michael and Debbie in the Easter holidays.We would like to see as many suitable children from the Leicester area as possible but will consider children from further afield for Billy and Michael only."


Here are the details on what is being sought talent wise:

http://johawes.com/billy-elliot.html

[porschesrule]

According to this Twitter post by the University of Chichester's Musical Theatre Department, James Berkery will be the Associate Choreographer on the Curve Leicester production of BETM. James is conducting an audition technique masterclass with the department's 3rd year students today.

https://twitter.com/chiuniMTP/status/14 ... 2669945857

More about James:

https://www.jamesberkery.com/

[oi_dancingboy]

I get the impression it may be quite a scaled back production but am interested to see what it will be like. Just bought my tickets. Tons of availability across all dates and seats at the moment so no need to rush.

[Real Geordie]

Having sampled some of the Made at Curve productions on You Tube (for example West Side Story), I increasingly think this will be a very different performance from what we have come to expect. Almost certainly scenery and lighting will be radically different. Choreography will be “re-imagined”, as they like to say. At least, we are told, this version will contain strong language and violence, so some things to look forward to ! Notwithstanding, Curve has a good reputation for innovation, and the theatre itself is relatively new with state of the art equipment. I look forward both with trepidation and anticipation. Maybe the same story, but seen from the other side of the street.