A production of Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) was presented by Auckland Theatre Company (ATC) at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand, from October 7 to December 10, 2016.
The ASB Waterfront Theatre is a new state-of-the-art performing arts facility located in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter. It is a purpose-built venue and the home of Auckland Theatre Company. BETM is the inaugural production at the ASB Waterfront Theatre.
ATC is Auckland’s flagship professional theatre company. This new theatre will help the company reach wider audiences and provide a space for other domestic and international arts organisations to tour and showcase their work. The ATC Artistic Director, Colin McColl, has described BETM as being a show that represents everything the theatre aspires to be. “It’s about having big dreams and pursuing your passion. It’s about living a life less ordinary and it’s about the importance of the arts and creativity in everyday life.”
In order to cast their Billys and Michaels, ATC started a nationwide search in February 2016. They auditioned over 60 boys from all across New Zealand and some even travelled from Australia to attend the auditions. Those who were successful at their first audition were then invited back for a three day intensive audition recall during their April school holidays. Eventually three young actors were chosen to lead the cast in the role of Billy. They are Jaxson Cook, Ben Shieff and Harry Sills.
Credit: Photo by Nicole Lawton
In order to advertise the show, ATC released this promotional video, featuring Jaxson Cook as Billy:
Credit: Video by Auckland Theatre Company
The whole cast came together in September 2016 to begin rehearsals for the opening of the show in October, with the official opening night on 13-Oct-2016.
Here is an interview with John Gibson, the musical director for the show, and the video also includes some rehearsal footage:
Credit: Video by MJ Duda
To learn more about the Auckland Billys, click on the Billy Profiles button (below) to be taken to their detailed profiles.
To see a complete listing of the rest of the Auckland Theatre Company cast, just click on the Cast Information button.
Credit: Photo by Michael Smith
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Quite an intriguing vision from ATC. It`s the BETM we know and love , yet somehow more modern – judging from their promotional efforts. The theater venue also looks quite hype.