NVAP Musical Matinee: Billy Elliot

Set in northern England during the 1980s miner's strike, Billy Elliot is a heart-warming and uplifting musical about a young boy who defies societal expectations and follows his dreams of becoming a dancer. The musical has a message of hope and acceptance that will resonate with audiences of all ages. The music is by Elton John and lyrics by Lee Hall, based on the 2000 film of the same name. This production was directed by Stephen Daldry at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London and recorded live by the V&A in July 2008.

This screening will be 2 hours and 55 mins, including a 15-minute interval. Please note, NVAP's are subject to last minute changes.

Established in 1992, through an agreement with the Federation of Entertainment Unions, NVAP was the first project of its kind in the UK. The archive now holds over 450 high-quality archival multi-camera recordings of live performance in Britain and continues to record and preserve productions for the national collection. The archive, launched with Richard Eyre’s production of Richard III starring Ian McKellen (National Theatre, 1992), features a vast range of stage performances with work by notable playwrights, directors, set designers, lighting designers and actors. It is an invaluable research tool to view and learn about significant British productions and captures and preserves moments of ephemeral performance history that otherwise would be lost. When V&A East opens in 2024 all the recordings will be available for the public to view in a brand-new facility.