Welcome to Billy Youth Theatre!

Congratulations to all the schools and youth groups who staged original versions of Billy Elliot the Musical this year. We hope that you enjoyed every bit of BYT; the rehearsals, creating your own version of the show, performing and of course becoming part of the Billy family!

Let us know your BYT highlight on the Billy Elliot facebook page

The four Billy Youth Theatre Showcases brought together over 1000 young performers to share their versions of Billy Elliot the Musical in professional theatres. The level of talent and creativity was astounding and the audiences that watched the Showcases were blown away by the performers’ energy and enthusiasm. Well done to all that took part and everyone who came and supported youth theatre in their area!

Amateur groups from across the country have been selected to perform extracts from their own versions of Billy Elliot in a series of showcases in Poole, Sunderland, York and Milton Keynes.

Join in the celebrations and support local youth theatre by attending the showcase nearest you.

Schools and youth groups across the country will find out in April if they have been chosen to perform in a BYT Showcase in one of four regional partner theatres. Groups submitted DVDs of their casts in rehearsal or on stage in the hope of wowing the Billy Elliot Resident Creative team with their original staging and choreograpy.

BYT groups are busily filming their versions of Billy Elliot the Musical in a bid to be selected to perform in one of four BYT Showcases across the country and the BYT West End Gala in London. The show's resident creative team challenged group leaders to create original stagings to celebrate the talents of not only the young casts but of the choreographers and directors of the youth and school groups.

Schools and youth groups will be staging productions across the country from February until July, see local press for details. All groups will submit a DVD of their performance or rehearsals in order to be selected to perform as part of a BYT Regional Showcase or the BYT West End Gala.

Ex-Billys Liam Mower and Layton Williams gave an exclusive interview about the benefits of taking part in theatre as a young person and new Michael, Connor Lawson talked about how BYT 2010 led to him becoming part of the West End cast of Billy Elliot The Musical.

We can't wait to meet you at the BYT Masterclass and see your versions of Billy Elliot The Musical

Applicants will be informed if they are participating in the project by 19 November. Good Luck!

There is still time for your school or youth group to stage Billy Elliot the Musical click here to apply or finish your application.

From 29 November 2010, Connor Lawson, a former Billy Youth Theatre participant, will join the London cast of Billy Elliot the Musical in the role of Billy's best friend Michael. After his performance at the Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala earlier this year, Connor attended Newcastle auditions for Billy Elliot the Musical and was invited to London to meet the Billy Elliot creative team after which he was offered the role of Michael.

To all those involved last night at the sensational Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala! It was a very special night for Billy London so thank you to all those involved who traveled across the country to perform at the Victoria Palace Theatre! We hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did! Check back soon for photos from the event!

Taking in performances from Edinburgh to Brighton, our inaugural BYT Regional Showcases are now complete as we look forward to the BYT West End Gala on 18 July.

Members of the London production creative team attended every showcase and were overwhelmed by the energy, enthusiasm and commitment from all the participants who made each showcase such a memorable and enjoyable event.

Good luck to all those performing at Wycombe Swan who are hosting their BYT showcase this Saturday 22 May - book tickets here

The Billy Youth Theatre regional showcases have started off with a bang, with both the Lowry and Durham Gala performances having been a tremendous success, playing to sell out houses! Over a hundred performers have participated at each showcase with those at Durham being lucky enough to meet the writer and creator of Billy Elliot; Lee Hall! There are 5 more regional showcases taking place across May and June. For more information on venues and how to book tickets check our Regional Showcases page

BYT announces the 14 groups that have been selected to perform at the Billy Youth Theatre West End Gala which will take place at the Victoria Palace Theatre on Sunday 18 July 2010! - Read more

The 7 venues chosen to host the BYT regional showcases have been announced. Each showcase will feature the region's brightest youth theatres together on one stage performing highlights of the specially adapted smash-hit musical. Showcases will be taking place between May - June 2010 across the country - full details

The BYT London workshop took place last weekend, on 13 December, with over 260 participants from all over the country taking part. Leading the workshops were Resident Director, Nick Evans, Resident Choreographers, Lee Proud and Damian Jackson, and Musical Director, Chris Hatt, joined by Billy Elliot writer himself, Lee Hall. Also joining the team were some of Billy's young cast.

The BYT London workshop takes place this weekend, with over 260 participants from all over the country taking part. Leading the workshops are Resident Director, Nick Evans, Resident Choreographers, Lee Proud and Damian Jackson, and Musical Director, Christ Hatt, joined by Billy Elliot writer himself, Lee Hall. Also joining the team will be some of Billy's young cast members!