Peter Darling News

Today, 19 November 2014, eleven year-old Brodie Donougher from Blackpool, gives his first performance in the title role of the internationally award winning Billy Elliot the Musical

Today we are talking to one of the most powerful directors on Broadway, in the West End and in Hollywood all about the breathtaking screen-to-stage-to-screen adaptation of his Tony Award- and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL, coming to Fathom movie theaters nationwide this week, the affable and gifted Stephen Daldry. Discussing originally adapting the hit British indie alongside composer Elton John and screenwriter/lyricist Lee Hall into the worldwide sensation that the musical eventually became, Daldry reflects on how many iconic elements of the original production came to be as well as comments on the enduring impact of the musical since its debut more than 10 years ago. Additionally, Daldry sheds considerable light on how the Fathom filming of BILLY ELLIOT was designed to showcase the exceptional entertainment value of the enterprise and its incredible cast of actors, as well as overseeing the unforgettable finale staged especially for this special 10th anniversary performance, including an awe-inspiring dance sequence involving 26 actors who have notably essayed the title role over the course of the show's run on Broadway, in the West End and around the world since its debut. Additionally, Daldry also touches upon his other two recent Fathom Events seen in movie theaters worldwide, SKYLIGHT and THE AUDIENCE, both of which will also be arriving on Broadway later this season in new productions. Plus, Daldry comments for the very first time on the feature film adaptation of stage sensation WICKED and working with Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman on bringing it to the screen, as well as offers his thoughts on the importance of properties such as BILLY ELLIOT and WICKED targeting the youth demographic in general. All of that, his early career success directing Caryl Churchill's remarkably prescient and powerful A NUMBER and FAR AWAY as well as an update on his new Peter Morgan TV series collaboration created especially for Netflix titled THE CROWN and much, much more in this quick yet compelling chat with one of the industry's best!

There's 36 hours to go until voting closes in this year's BWW:UK Awards - but can Miss Saigon hang on to the lead in all its categories?

Miss Saigon, Les Miserables and Urinetown are all leading the musical theatre categories in this year's BWW:UK Awards - with Saigon stars Eva Noblezada, Kwang-Ho Hong, Rachelle Ann Go and Jon Jon Briones all out in front in the performance categories.

Fathom Events brings top theater from London's iconic West End to the big screen with 'Billy Elliot the Musical Live' which will be screened in select U.S. cinemas for three showings only: November 12 at 7 p.m., November 15 at 12:55 p.m. and November 18 at 7 p.m., all local times. This unique performance was previously captured live when it was broadcast to eight countries from the show's West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre, hitting number one at the UK box office. It has been dazzling audiences in London since it opened in 2005, and has gone on to captivate audiences across five continents, winning more than 80 theater awards globally including 10 Tony Awards®.

Here are the current standings for UK / West End as of Sunday 12, October.

This weekend saw a record breaking twenty-five former and current Billy Elliots come together on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale of Billy Elliot the Musical. This unique performance was broadcast live to eight countries from the show's West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre. All three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - took part in a spectacular finale as the broadcast, the widest ever cinema release of a live event, hit number one at the UK box office.

This weekend saw a record breaking twenty-five former and current Billy Elliots come together on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale of Billy Elliot the Musical. At a unique performance, broadcast live to eight countries from the show's West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre, all three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - took part in the spectacular finale. Two special screenings of Billy Elliot the Musical Live also took place at the historic Easington Social Welfare Centre, formerly the Easington Colliery Miners' Institute, one of the settings for Billy's inspiring story.

This week 11 year old Todd Bell from Whitehaven, Cumbria, joins the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre to play Billy Elliot's best friend Michael, alternating the role with current Michaels Zach Atkinson (12 years old from Manchester) and Tomi Fry (11 years old from Swindon). Todd Bell will join the adult cast led by Ruthie Henshall (Mrs Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad), Chris Grahamson (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Howard Crossley (George) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy) alongside current Billy Elliots Elliott Hanna (11 years old from Liverpool), Ollie Jochim (12 years old from Chelmsford, Essex Bradley Perret (12 years old from Juan les Pins, France) and Matteo Zecca (12 years old from Buckinghamshire) who alternate the title role.

September will be a month to remember for the record-breaking and award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes. In the month that sees the book mark its 50th anniversary, and Roald Dahl Day celebrate Dahl's work, life and legacy, the production has sold its one millionth ticket, and today producers have announced an extension to its booking period, until 31 October 2015.

Producers of the Tony Award-winning MATILDA THE MUSICAL announced today that Alison Luff will join the company as Miss Honey beginning tomorrow, Saturday, September 6.

Twenty-seven former and current Billy Elliots will unite on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale onSunday 28 September when Billy Elliot the Musical is broadcast live from the Victoria Palace Theatre to cinemas across the UK and around the world. All three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - will take part in the spectacular finale. In addition, as previously announced, Liam Mower will play the role of Older Billy at this performance.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Roald Dahl's MATILDA the musical will hold a special Gala performance in aid of BBC Children in Need on Tuesday 4 November 2014. The evening will be hosted by BBC Radio 2's Sir Terry Wogan with a special appearance from the charity's mascot, Pudsey. BBC Radio 2 presenters and celebrities will be in attendance alongside members of the public. At least 50% of the proceeds from this performance will benefit the BBC Children in Need Appeal, and its work with disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers today announced that Tori Feinstein, Eliza Holland Madore, Brooklyn Shuck, and Fina Strazza have joined the Broadway company of Matilda the Musical and will begin performances in the title role over the course of the next few weeks.

On Sunday 28 September, Liam Mower will join the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical for a special performance to be broadcast live from the Victoria Palace Theatre to cinemas across the UK and around the world. Mower, who will play the role of Older Billy, originated the role of Billy Elliot in 2005 along with George Maguire and James Lomas, and was the first boy ever to play the role on stage.

According to the Daily Mail, the original Billy Elliot -- Liam Mower -- is returning to the musical for one night only as part of its BILLY ELLIOT LIVE special performance on September 28. The event will be broadcast in UK cinemas, live from the Victoria Palace Theatre. Mower, now 22, will play the grown-up Billy in the musical's fantasy sequence featuring young Billy dancing with his older self.

Capturing the imagination of young and old alike, the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical continues to play to packed houses at the Cambridge Theatre in London. Matilda has now been seen by almost 1.5million people since it transferred to the West End in October 2011. The production was commissioned by the RSC and played to sold-out audiences at the RSC's The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon for twelve weeks from November 2010 to January 2011. Tickets are now on sale until Sunday 24 May 2015.

Today, 14 July 2014, 12-year-old Ollie Jochim from Chelmsford, Essex gives his first performance in the title role of the internationally award winning Billy Elliot the Musical. Ollie joins a cast lead by Ruthie Henshall who plays Mrs Wilkinson, Billy's dance teacher, and becomes the thirty-eighth boy to perform the iconic role at the Victoria Palace Theatre and the seventy-fifth boy to perform the role world-wide. Scroll down for an interview with the new star!

Today, 14 July 2014, twelve year old Ollie Jochim from Chelmsford, Essex gives his first performance in the title role of the internationally award winning Billy Elliot the Musical. Ollie joins a cast lead by Ruthie Henshall who plays Mrs Wilkinson, Billy's dance teacher, and becomes the thirty-eighth boy to perform the iconic role at the Victoria Palace Theatre and the seventy-fifth boy to perform the role world-wide.