Play Review: Billy Elliot

Play Review: Billy Elliot

Billy Eliot tells the heartwarming story of a boy struggling against stereotypes and prejudices of a patriarchal community, poor and narrow-minded, England. Billy lives with his father, Jackie, his older brother and a grandmother who needs constant care. The play is set in 1984 during the British miners' strikes, and focuses on the 11-year-old Billy Elliot, his love of dance and his hopes of becoming a professional ballet dancer. Jackie takes Billy to the sports center, so that he starts taking boxing lessons as it the miner's son hereditary. Instead, Billy's attention is drawn to the ballet class which is conducted next door. However, Billy is forced to go to the boxing classes. After some time, unknown to his father, Billy begins to take the ballet lessons. Soon, the boxing coach informs Jackie about the absence of his son in training which leaves jakie confused and he decides to find out this mystery. After some time, the mysterious absence of a young Billy from the boxing classes is revealed. When Jackie finds out about the ballet lessons his son is taking, he is furious. Jackie believes that ballet is not masculine sport and his son is deviating from the norms. He firmly forbids Billy to attend classes. However, Billy's passion for dance motivates him to continue taking the private lessons from his teacher, Georgia Wilkinson, secretly. Georgia believes that Billy is very talented and encourages him to try out for the Royal Ballet School in London. However, due to a clash between police and striking miners, Billy misses the audition. Georgia goes to the house of Billy to inform Jackie about the missed opportunity. Jackie becomes enraged, fearing that Billy would be considered a homosexual in the society if anyone finds out that he takes ...