Billy Elliot extends as it celebrates 10th Birthday

The West End production of Billy Elliot, which today celebrates its 10th anniversary at London's Victoria Palace Theatre, has announced a booking extension to 17 December 2016.

The hit British musical, based on the film of the same name, originally opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 12 May 2005, following previews from 31 March 2005. The show is set to begin its first UK tour in February 2016, opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Composer Elton John said of the news:

"When Stephen, Lee and I started work on Billy Elliot the Musical I knew this was going to be something very special. When I saw the show for the first time back in 2005 I was completely bowled over and ten years and forty London Billy Elliots later, I couldn't be more proud of this extraordinary show."

Elton John and Lee Hall's musical Billy Elliot has been seen by over 10 million people world wide. The show has been presented on Broadway, where it won the Tony Award for Best New Musical, as well as productions in Sydney, Melbourne, Chicago, Toronto and Seoul.

Synopsis: 'Billy Elliot is the tale of a motherless boy whose father wants him to take up boxing. Instead, the boy discovers a love for ballet that leads him from secret lessons to a place at the Royal Ballet School.'

The current cast of Billy Elliot includes Ruthie Henshall (Mrs Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad), Chris Grahamson (Tony), Gillian Elisa (Grandma), Howard Crossley (George) Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy), Claudia Bradley (Dead Mum) and David Muscat (Mr Braithwaite).

Billy Elliot is presented in London by Universal Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Tiger Aspect and is based on the Universal Pictures/ Studio Canal film.

The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design is by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch, and choreography by Peter Darling.