Billy Elliot the Musical was on stage last summer.
The "Made at Curve" production of Billy Elliot the Musical was awarded Best Regional Production at the 23rd annual WhatsOnStage Awards, following a public vote.
The WhatsOnStage Awards are the only major theatre awards nominated and voted for by the public. The winners were announced at a ceremony held at the Prince of Wales Theatre on Sunday, February 12.
This isn’t the first piece of silverware Curve has picked up for Billy Elliot the Musical, with the production winning Best Musical at the UK Theatre Awards last year.
Directed by Nikolai Foster, the production ran July 13 to August 20, 2022, and was the first new UK production of the acclaimed show. Across the musical’s run, Curve welcomed almost 40,000 audience members from Leicester, the UK and across the world.
The musical featured a cast of 56 – including 38 young people, most of which were Midlands-based or had local family connections.
In a joint statement, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said: "Thank you to our incredible Leicester audiences and all those from further afield who voted Billy Elliot Best Regional Production at the WhatsOnStage Awards. These awards are always special, as they are voted for entirely by the public and we are grateful to all who saw the show and took the time to vote.
"There is incredible work happening in our great theatres up and down the country and it’s 'cush' our work has been recognised in such a strong year of shows.
"Thanks to our principal funders, Arts Council England and Leicester City Council, who help make shows like Billy Elliot at Curve possible – long may public funding for the arts continue.
"Thanks also to Team Curve, our phenomenal cast and creative teams, and those at Working Title Films and Music Theatre International for being such a vital part of this journey."
Billy Elliot the Musical is based on Stephen Daldry’s hit 2000 film, and features music by Elton John with book and lyrics by Lee Hall.
In Curve’s production of Billy Elliot the Musical, the titular role of Billy Elliot, the miner’s son with a passion for ballet, was played by Leo Hollingsworth, Alfie Napolitano, Samuel Newby and Jaden Shentall-Lee, who also took to the stage at the WhatsOnStage ceremony for a breath-taking performance of ‘Electricity’.
Earlier this month Curve revealed details of its 2023 "Made at Curve" Christmas musical, a new revival of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita. Directed by Nikolai Foster, the production will run November 27, 2023 to January 13, 2024. Tickets will be on sale soon.
