Elton John feels ‘connected’ to Billy Elliot and says film ‘struck a chord’
By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
Elton John has said Billy Elliot “struck a chord” as it reminded him of how his father “never came to see me” when he performed.
The Oscar-winning singer, 79, also reflected on how he feels “connected” to the film and musical as he believes it shares many similarities with his life and his relationship with his father.
John, born Reginald Dwight, had a famously strained relationship with his father Stanley who was dismissive of his globally successful music career, which saw him achieve 10 UK number one singles and albums.
The star has also composed for smash-hit musicals such as The Devil Wears Prada, The Lion King and Billy Elliot, with the latter set to return to the West End next year after almost a decade.
Billy Elliot: The Musical is adapted from the highly acclaimed 2000s film of the same name, and tells the tale of an 11-year-old boy living in a working-class town during the 1984 coal miners’ strike who discovers his passion for ballet.
Speaking at a launch event for the revival of the hit musical on Wednesday, John explained why he was drawn to the “impressive” story of Billy Elliot and reflected on his similarities to the character.
During my career, my dad never came to see me and that struck a chord
“I think the thing that really impressed me the most, and made me decide that I wanted to write it, was when Billy’s dad comes into the balcony to see him go on at the Royal Ballet for the first time,” he said, referring to the scene where the title character’s father expresses support for his son’s dancing dream.
John continued: “During my career, my dad never came to see me and that struck a chord.
“I’d have loved my dad to come and see me – but no, I’m not going to blame him any more because he just didn’t have the wherewithal to come see me.
“I thought, ‘God, I would love my dad to have seen me’.”
The star added: “When I was a child, I was driven into music because music was my life. It was where I retreated to when my parents were arguing, it was my solitude, it was my inspiration.
“Billy’s dancing was his inspiration against all odds.
“Part of his story is his dad didn’t want him to do it at the beginning, and he came around at the end. I think our stories are very similar.
“I decided to become a rock and roll player, which my dad was horrified by (…) that’s what Billy did with his dad.
“I think that’s what really connects me to the musical and the film.”
John said when he first saw the film “it destroyed me” and recounted “sobbing in my seat for the last 10 minutes”, adding: “I just loved it so much.”
He also said he is “thrilled” the award-winning musical will return to the West End next year, having made its stage debut in 2005 and having an 11-year theatrical run.
Billy Elliot: The Musical is based on a book by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry and has enjoyed global success, winning five Olivier Awards during its acclaimed run in London.
The upcoming production, which will return to the stage in November this year before being taken to London’s Adelphi Theatre for a limited run, will star Noah Mannion, Rafferty Smale, Spencer Collins and William Gurney as Billy Elliot.
It will also feature an appearance from Liam Mower, one of the original actors to play the title character in 2005, who will portray an older version of Billy.
