UK Roundup - Billy Elliot, Matthew Bourne, Michael Jibson

Wherever Elton John goes, so do the cameras. Which is probably why he was chosen as the master of ceremonies at the unveiling of new musical Billy Elliot in London this week, ensuring the much needed press coverage the show wants. Opening at the Victoria Palace Theatre, currently home to The Rod Stewart Musical, on March 11^th, it will play out-of-town previews in Newcastle in November. A special school has been set up, aptly named the Billy Elliot School, to train kids to take the lead role in the show - as the title character will be onstage throughout; singing, dancing and acting. Unlike in America, youngsters in shows must alternate performances and cannot be in it for longer than 6 months, meaning whoever is lucky enough to take the role will only have a quick sample of the spotlight.

Two shows in the West End have failed to extend past their original booking periods. New musical The Beautiful and Damned, which opened to mainly negative reviews, won't be extending its August 14^th booking period, leaving an empty house at the Lyric Theatre. It documents the life of high-flyer writer F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda. John Barrowman originally starred in the lead role when the show played in Guildford, but due to commitments in Anything Goes he did not appear in the West End transfer.

Although billed as a 'limited season' anyway, Oleanna, with Hollywood actors Aaron Eckhart and Julia Stiles, will not extend or seek replacements either. David Mamet's two-hander is currently playing at the Garrick Theatre as a star-vehicle for the duo and will close, as planned, at the end of its stint on July 17^th. Shining City, at the Royal Court Theatre, has extended by three weeks, bringing its season to a close on August 7^th. A transfer has not been ruled out, as author Conor McPherson's play The Weir enjoyed long West End success.

It's fair to say that Matthew Bourne has had a good ten years. He's become internationally famous, worked on mega-hit musicals, staged critically acclaimed productions of The Car Man, Nutcracker and Play Without Words, won two Tony Awards and is set to choreograph and co-direct the upcoming Mary Poppins. Now, to celebrate its tenth anniversary, he's bringing back the piece that shot his career to new levels - the all-male Swan Lake. Featured in the film Billy Elliot, Swan Lake made headlines for being a production with men playing the usually feminine roles of the swans. It swims into London on 30^th November.