A painstaking journey Jun 15, 2008
The Sydney Morning Herald: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Australia's leading newspaper. At September's Paralympics, rower John Maclean will combat an old foe - discomfort - for Australia and wheelchair-bound youngsters everywhere, writes Daniel Lane. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Sweet apples Jun 15, 2008
The Sydney Morning Herald: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Australia's leading newspaper. No worries, mate US Open leader Stuart Appleby acknowledges the crowd after sinking a 15-metre putt on the 18th hole of his second round. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
A day of shopping terror Jun 15, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Security footage of the robbery near Greystanes in Sydney's west. (Sydney Morning Herald)
MP hits out over dialysis unit fiasco Jun 15, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Lisa Carty NSW Political ReporterJune 15, 2008 THE State Government's refusal to establish a renal unit in a southern NSW town has been described as "inhumane". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Cops quiz staff as Della awaits grilling Jun 15, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. stood down education minister John Della Bosca folds the laundry while Belinda Neal looks on yesterdayPhoto: Helen Nezdropa. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Too afraid of Neal's bite to act Jun 15, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Robert Field says he was chased, and once bitten on the foot, by Belinda Neal's kelpie CheckersPhoto: Jacky Ghossein. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Doing it for the kids who can't Jun 15, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Anthony Lepre with his wife, Annita, and children Paris and Noah, who are both chronically illPhoto: Anthony Johnson. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Alarm over high-rise child falls Jun 15, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Michael Mohr, 3, looks out of the bedroom window from which he fell on Easter Sunday. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Confessions of a hit man who fooled them all Jun 15, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. The $17,000 Maserati in which underworld kingpin Richard Gabriel Reilly was shot dead. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
A day of shopping terror Jun 15, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Security footage of the robbery near Greystanes in Sydney's west. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Second poll likely to choose president Jun 15, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Jose Ramos-Horta, 57, is mobbed by the press as he arrives at a polling station to cast his vote. (Yahoo News -- East Timor)
Australia considering Zimbabwe action Jun 15, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
George Sampson's story to be turned into movie Jun 5, 2008
Britain s Got Talent winner to be next Billy Elliot ... Filmmakers reckon the winner;s Billy Elliot-style story is great movie material. (Now Magazine Online)
Quiche and the city a cold affair Jun 3, 2008
The all-singing, all-dancing cast of Billy Elliot The Musical will pirouette its way out of Sydney in November, concluding a year-long run at the Capitol Theatre. When the musical opened in Sydney last year, Elton John, who penned the tunes, was in fine form on opening night, donning a pink tutu over his suit for the curtain call. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Billy Elliot dances into Melbourne Jun 2, 2008
YOUNG actors will soon have the chance to become the world's most popular boy dancer when hit musical Billy Elliot comes to Melbourne. Producers today announced the premier performance of Billy Elliot the Musical- which has a score by Elton John- will be held at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne on December 30. (Melbourne Herald Sun)
Elicia Murray and Kerry Coleman May 27, 2008
Depp is an Oscar-winning family man with "Wino forever" branded on his arm and Matthew Bourne, the man who put blokes in feathers for Swan Lake, has adapted the gothic fairytale for stage, following the recent obsession with stage-ifying everything from Billy Elliot to When Harry Met Sally. Rachel Olding. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Watch your tongue May 13, 2008
And the producers of the Broadway version of Billy Elliot recently asked for the removal of expletives sung by and in the presence of child actors. The director, Stephen Daldry, declined on the grounds that the scenes had caused no controversy in London. (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
Maddy Costa talks to director Stephen Daldry May 12, 2008
His Billy Elliot musical has gone global, Kate Winslet's in his next film, and he's plotting a return to theatre ... " Tonight, Daldry will be presiding over the third birthday celebrations of his London production of Billy Elliot: the Musical. He's also currently setting up a new production of the show, due to open on Broadway in November, and keeping a check on the production that opened successfully in Sydney last October. "It is a full-time job," he says. "Other musicals, once you've created... (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
Ballet dynamo: 'I have the urge to dance wherever I am' May 12, 2008
Ballet dynamo Kiril Kulish, 14, is ready to make leap to Broadway in 'Billy Elliot ... When Kiril Kulish was 7 years old and a student at Hillcrest's Champion Academy Ballroom, a teacher there nicknamed him Billy Elliot in honor of the ballet-loving boy in the Oscar-nominated 2000 movie ... I kept wondering who Billy Elliot was. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Different is cool, says London musicals May 11, 2008
With their unlikely heroes, Wicked, Hairspray and Billy Elliot have been touted "uplifting" to "heroic" by the critics and, more importantly, have become big hits among teenagers ... One song that Elphaba sings when she falls in love, for example, is a moving description for every one of us who ever thought, "I'm not good enough: Don't wish, don't start / Wishing only wounds the heart / I wasn't born for the rose and the pearl / There's a girl I know / He loves her so / I'm not that girl. But... (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
'August' recoups on Broadway May 8, 2008
Due to the prior booking of "Billy Elliot The Musical" at the Imperial, "August" ended its run at that theater on April 22 and reopened a week later in new digs at the Music Box. The play is now booking through September. (Variety)
Manhattan Without Car Alarms May 8, 2008
Like Billy Elliot, but schlockier. Dana Stevensposted May 2, 2008. (Slate)
Finally, 11-Year-Old Kids Remake Rambo May 3, 2008
Like Billy Elliot, but schlockier ... Son of RambowLike Billy Elliot, but schlockier ... Roll your eyes all you want, but just try watching the "" scene in Billy Elliot without feeling your heart lift. (Slate)
VPA closes with 'Little Women' May 3, 2008
Movies such as The Little Mermaid, Young Frankenstein, Billy Elliot the Musical, and Xanadu were made into Broadway plays with the idea that if they made it on the screen, then itll work on stage. Photo by John Harris/ In The Wings Photography Little Women is as modern as Little House on the Prairie, but the universal themes are all there. (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
Elton John introduces Broadway's Billy Elliots Apr 23, 2008
By Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press NEW YORK Broadway has its Billy Elliot all three of them. The three young men who will alternate as the stars of Billy Elliot the Musical were introduced Tuesday by the show's composer, Elton John, in the auditorium, appropriately enough, of New York's Professional Performing Arts High School ... Billy Elliot is based on the successful 2000 movie about a young boy who longs to dance but lives in the bleak coal-mining area of Northern England. (USA Today -- Life)
Soprano family values Apr 23, 2008
Elton John introduced the young stars of "Billy Elliot the Musical" Tuesday in the city and performed a song from the show. (with video). (Yahoo News -- The Sopranos)
COBRAS AND 'COUNTRY' Apr 23, 2008
COBRAS AND 'COUNTRY' - New York Post. LET'S see: Your word of mouth is dreadful. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Cinema's poet of silence switches to opera with Mozart debut at ENO Apr 16, 2008
Other firsts for the company next season include a libretto translation by Lee Hall, the writer of Billy Elliot ... Asked whether Hall's Pagliacci would be as fruity as his Billy Elliot, music director Ed Gardner said: "He doesn't want to see expletive after expletive on our surtitles, so he's already taking reams of them out." Hall refers in the new season programme to the opera's "low exclamations and filthy curses". (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
Iron man Downey shows his softer side Apr 15, 2008
Boys in tights could soon outnumber those in football boots, with the announcement yesterday of a partnership between the Australian Ballet and the musical theatre juggernaut Billy Elliot. Yesterday young members of the cast of Billy Elliot: The Musical toe-tapped their way to the Australian Ballet's annual boys' day, designed to introduce male dance students to the company's dancers. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Broadway stages switcheroo Apr 12, 2008
Buzz magnet and newly anointed Pulitzer winner "August" is housed in the Imperial, which had long been booked by anticipated juggernaut "Billy Elliot" in the fall. "The 39 Steps" recently shuttered at Roundabout's American Airlines Theater to make way for the next offering of the Roundabout season, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses.". (Variety)
Musical slate way up Down Under Apr 12, 2008
Beginning with the December bow of Billy Elliot the Musical, producers have lined up a whopping 24 major tuners to open in as many months ... Following Billy Elliot which opened in Sydney in December to strong reviews and sell-out business Londons Ambassador Theater Group (ATG) followed up with two more shows on the boards: Michael Grandages Guys and Dolls and The Rocky Horror Show. (Variety)
Curtain call Apr 5, 2008
"It's not like Billy Elliot, where you know the story about the kid getting into the ballet from the film. It's frustrating because the musical is sophisticated and silly, and potentially has enormous appeal. Audiences left happy and smiling. The matinees were full of blokes, which you don't often get, who loved the witty tunes and jokes. "Spamalot was doing huge business early on and there's a prevailing view that the show would work wonders in Sydney. I know the producers are keen to tour it... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Sex and the City film now scrapped Apr 4, 2008
Favorably compared to 'Billy Elliot', director Gareth Jennings film is a warm, funny and entertaining look at growing up in 1980s Britain. Posing some interesting questions about what we like to watch, 'Funny Games' is torturous viewing at times - if only because it is so excruciatingly intense. (Yahoo News -- Sex and the City)
Post-Gazette Critic's Choice theater tour group Mar 30, 2008
Some of the Post-Gazette group opted for the very British "Billy Elliot," and a musical of "Gone with the Wind" (I kid you not) will open soon. "Spamalot" was tempting, to see how the Monty Python show has fared on return to its native land of silly walks. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
BBC names 12 Oliver TV hopefuls Mar 23, 2008
And completing the list are Shrek fan Laurence, who is 11 and lives in Cheshire, and 10-year-old Sam from Hampshire, who loves the Billy Elliot film and stage show. Oliver. (BBC News)
5.5m plan to inspire new generation of Billy Elliots in schools Mar 19, 2008
5m plan to inspire new generation of Billy Elliots in schools - Education News, Education - Independent ... 5m plan to inspire new generation of Billy Elliots in schools ... From Billy Elliot to Ballet Hoo. (Independent)
Government injects 5.5m into dance education Mar 18, 2008
Films such as Billy Elliot and the BBC Saturday night show Strictly Come Dancing have fuelled a rage for dance in the UK. But according to a report by the Royal Opera House's chief executive, Tony Hall, dance has remained a "Cinderella art form", attracting a tiny fraction of the public funding that music education receives. The new money - with the Arts Council putting up the bulk of the cash - will go to provide six advanced dance training centres, to make a total of 11 across the country. (Guardian Unlimited -- Politics)
Too many secrets and lies, not enough drama Mar 15, 2008
Yes, we're in the world of the heartwarming comedy about quirky working-class British and/or Irish communities coming together to do something out of the ordinary, a genre popularized by Billy Elliot and The Full Monty, which, come to think of it, both spawned musicals themselves. In this case, A Man of No Importance is based on a little-known 1994 film of the same name starring Albert Finney. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Simon Cowell to turn Paul Potts story into Hollywood flick Mar 7, 2008
"This company got that it's another Billy Elliot, a story anyone in the world can understand," said Simon. Remembering his protege's first audition, Simon added: "I'll never forget how much the room changed when he began singing.". (hellomagazine.com)
Cowell to produce talent show winner movie Mar 6, 2008
The forthcoming movie has been dubbed the new Billy Elliot by Cowell, who will act as producer ... He says, "Most of these calls result in absolutely nothing, but this company got that it's another Billy Elliot, a story anyone in the world can understand.". (Xinhuanet, China)
Decade of dazzling encores Mar 5, 2008
Where the Sydney-based company began with great determination and ambition, Pratt's not-for-profit company has taken a modest, carefully considered approach in an increasingly competitive environment which has seen the bigger theatres consistently booked lately with long-running shows, not least The Phantom of the Opera, Billy Elliot and Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. "We're a boutique and don't want to be a supermarket," says Pratt. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Cowell Plans Potts Pic Mar 4, 2008
" - Mark Von Holden/WireImage.com Paul Potts - winner of Britain's Got Talent and subject of a potential Hollywood blockbuster. As the film is in the very early stages of development, there's no word yet on a director or cast, although Cowell is hoping that their as-yet-untitled project will be another Billy Elliot. "This was his last chance, and he literally decided to enter based on the toss of a coin" he explains. "And despite his success off the back of the show, the only difference I see in... (IGN FilmForce)
Actress Julie Walters given CBE Mar 3, 2008
Julie Walters' films include Educating Rita and Billy Elliot ... Bafta has since recognised her work in the film Billy Elliot and the TV programmes My Beautiful Son, Murder and The Canterbury Tales. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
The Big Interview After 70 Years In Showbiz Bruce Is Still Game Feb 23, 2008
But at the moment, no." But before even thinking about that, he has yet another major gig to look forward to - his 80th birthday party, which will be screened on BBC1. The stars will come out to pay tribute to one of the heavyweights of light entertainment, as Bruce Forsyth celebrates his 80th birthday. His Strictly Come Dancing pal Tess Daly hosts the event, which sees LizaMinelli and JoolsHolland performing live, mimic Jon Culshaw paying a special tribute to Brucie's beloved catchphrases and... (Glasgow Daily Record)
Bruce Forsyth marks milestone Feb 23, 2008
The show, entitled Happy Birthday Brucie, will feature excerpts from his decades in showbusiness, as well as a tap dance duet with one of the young stars of West End musical Billy Elliot. The man is just a legend. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Broadway plays the market Feb 23, 2008
(The Imperial is promised to incoming tuner "Billy Elliot" in the fall. . (Variety)
'Osage' makes move to Music Box Feb 19, 2008
Theater switch also allows the possibility of an open-ended run for Oklahoma-set family drama August, since the Imperial is promised to tuner Billy Elliot in the fall (and reportedly may host a short stint of the Patrick Stewart Macbeth in the interim). Music Box is home to The Farnsworth Invention, the new play by Aaron Sorkin about the invention of television. (Variety)
Dancing through sore feet, tears and tantrums Feb 17, 2008
"That, combined with the popularity of Billy Elliot, means that children are going to get out there and go to dance classes. "When people watch the dancers they are amazed by what they can do. " send photos, videos ffs to 0424 SMS SMH (+61 424 76 00004000 7 764), or us. 1202760661066-smh.com.auhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/dancing-through-sore-feet-tears-and-tantrums/2008/02/16/1202760661066.htmlsmh.com.auSydney Morning Herald2008-02-16Dancing through sore feet, tears and tantrumsAngela... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Review: Jumper Feb 16, 2008
Jamie "Billy Elliot" Bell plays Griffin, another jumper who teams up with David, and he is easily the most interesting character in the movie, but again, we are told nearly nothing about his background. Bell does a great job with the material he's given, but he's given so little that his acting talents are wasted. (Dose.ca)
'Macbeth' Ambitions Feb 15, 2008
" In April, "August" will move next door to the Music Box, freeing up the Imperial for "Billy Elliot" in late summer. That leaves a potential window - from the end of April to the middle of June - for a limited engagement of "Macbeth. " Everything hinges on how soon the producers of "Billy Elliot" want to start building their set at the theater. If they want to move in right away, "Macbeth" will be out in the cold. If Stewart winds up at the Imperial, he'll be reunited with his beloved old... (New York Post -- Entertainment)
TAKE THE SUBWAY Feb 15, 2008
The Paladins were responsible for the Inquisition and the Salem witch trials, David is informed by another Jumper named Griffin (Jamie Bell of "Billy Elliot," who is considerably more animated than Christensen). Oh. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Christensens got no bounce in Jumper Feb 13, 2008
While the appearance of all-grown-up Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell midway through the film markedly livens up the proceedings, its too little, too late. Christensen stars as David Rice, a man who discovered in his adolescence that he had the power to pop from place to place just by thinking about it. (MSNBC -- Movies)
Jamie Bell is Jumper Feb 12, 2008
Jamie Bell is best known for his role as 'Billy Elliot' in the film of the same name, a role that won him a Best Actor award at the 2001 British Academy Awards (BAFTAs). Since then, Jaime has gone on to play instrumental roles in such films as Nicholas Nickleby (2002), King Kong (2005), Flags of Our Fathers (2006), and most recently as 'Griffin' in Jumper. (IGN PS2)
Bit of a hair flip, and it's a time slip Feb 8, 2008
A night of theatre, comedy, music and dance, the event will raise money for the AIDS Council of NSW. Australia's musical theatre community will be out in force with Caroline O'Connor, Peter Cousens and the cast of Billy Elliot putting in an appearance. QUEENS IN THE DOCK. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Day-Lewis heads UK Oscars charge Jan 24, 2008
Atonement was made by Working Title Films, the production company responsible for films including Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Billy Elliot, Bridget Jones's Diary and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Its writer Christopher Hampton is up for best adapted screenplay. (Yahoo News -- Academy Awards)
Toy Symphony sweeps theatre awards Jan 23, 2008
The other big winner of the night was the Australian production of Billy Elliot, which won all three musical awards, including best musical. The four young actors who share the title role - Lochlan Denholm, Rhys Kosakowski, Rarmian Newton and Nick Twiney - jointly collected the Judith Johnson award for best performance by an actor in a musical, while Genevieve Lemon took the equivalent award for best actress. (The Australian)
Four likely lads performing like billyo catch judges' eye Jan 22, 2008
FOUR schoolboys stole the show at the Sydney Theatre Awards in Paddington last night when the young stars of Billy Elliot The Musical won the award for best performance by an actor in a musical ... Billy Elliot won all three awards in its category. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Sydney Theatre Awards Jan 22, 2008
Billy Elliot (Universal Pictures, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions) ... Genevieve Lemon (Billy Elliot) ... Lochlan Denholm, Rhys Kosakowski, Rarmian Newton, Nick Twiney (Billy Elliot). (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Stars shine through the rain and gloom Jan 22, 2008
The four boys who take the role of Billy in the musical Billy Elliot also attended the awards. Company B's Toy Symphony and Billy Elliot scooped the pool at the awards ... Effervescent musical Billy Elliot won awards for Best Musical Production and Best Actress in a Musical (Genevieve Lemon). (The Australian)
Guy gets to gig with the greats of the genre Jan 18, 2008
actress Catherine McClements (nominated for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, also at the Belvoir), and Lochlan Denholm, Rhys Kosakowski, Rarmian Newton and Nick Twiney - the four boys who play the title role in the musical hit, Billy Elliot. BLUES NOTES. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
British theater has huge year Jan 18, 2008
Big earners at the West End box office included "Dirty Dancing," "Wicked," "The Sound of Music," "Grease," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "Monty Python's Spamalot" and "Billy Elliot.". "This is obviously excellent news for the industry, for all those who work in it, and for the U.K. economy," said Solt prexy Rosemary Squire. (Variety)
Flying start as angels face off with new works Jan 8, 2008
Among them: guest choreographer for the Sydney Dance Company Meryl Tankard and, taking a break from his role in Billy Elliot, the former Australian Ballet principal Matthew Trent ... With the Capitol Theatre busy with Billy Elliot, the Lyric has been pressed into action as a festival venue. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Investors propose $600 million studio Jan 8, 2008
Billy Elliot' was set against the collapse of the mining industry in northeast England ... The collapse of the mining industry in the northeast of England -- the backdrop for Working Title's "Billy Elliot," about a northern boy who dreams of becoming a dancer -- cost the district tens of thousands of jobs. (Variety)
Big names headline summer of song, circus and drama Jan 5, 2008
The hit musical Billy Elliot will help see out summer as its season continues at the Capitol Theatre. send photos, videos ffs to 0424 SMS SMH (+61 424 767 764), or us. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
People's party Jan 4, 2008
(The Theatre Royal has been snubbed this year and the Capitol Theatre is off limits because of the musical Billy Elliot). It is in the areas of social advocacy and humanist ideals that Linehan's festival has a serious purpose. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
