Young Billy stands alone in an empty gymnasium, consumed by sorrow. Forced to abandon his dream ballet audition, he begins to move to the strains of "Swan Lake" drifting from somewhere unseen. Then his future self—Billy as a grown ballerino—appears and dances alongside him. This pas de deux between the two Billys serves as a pivotal moment symbolizing the boy's leap toward his dreams rather than succumbing to life's obstacles.
At a recent showcase and press conference for the musical "Billy Elliot" held at Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center's Grand Theater, this "Dream Ballet" sequence captivated audiences. The production, returning after five years, features four young Billys and three adult Billys. The young Billy roles are played by Kim Seung-joo (12), Park Ji-hoo (11), Kim Woo-jin (10), and Cho Yoon-woo (9). Among the adult Billys is Lim Sun-woo (26), principal dancer with Universal Ballet, who originated the young Billy role in the 2010 Korean premiere.
This season holds special significance as an actor who once portrayed young Billy dreaming of becoming a dancer has actually become a professional ballerino and returned to the stage. "I'm grateful to have achieved my dream of becoming a ballerino and to return after 16 years," Lim said. "The young Billys are adorable and admirable, like my own younger brothers." Currently a principal dancer with the ballet company, he secured the company's cooperation to rejoin the production that launched his career.
"Billy Elliot" is set in a 1980s coal mining town in northeastern England, depicting a boy who refuses to abandon his dream of becoming a ballerino despite economic hardship and opposition from those around him. Based on the film of the same name with music by Elton John, the musical premiered in 2005 and has earned worldwide acclaim for both artistic merit and commercial success. In Korea, this marks the fourth season following runs in 2010, 2017, and 2021.
The musical distinguishes itself by placing young actors at the center of the production. The actor playing Billy must handle acting, singing, and dancing throughout the approximately two-hour-and-forty-minute show, requiring extensive training and rehearsal. This season involved a two-year preparation process beginning with initial auditions in September 2024. Through four rounds of auditions, cast members were selected for Billy and his friend Michael from among 240 applicants.
The selected young actors undergo nearly a year of training before taking the stage. Only one of this season's Billys had prior ballet experience. The production team trained them from scratch in ballet, tap dance, and acrobatics.
International production staff expressed confidence that each of the four Billys brings distinct personality, promising entirely different performances. Associate choreographer Tom Hodgson praised the Korean actors' energy. "The passion these actors bring to the rehearsal room is unmatched anywhere in the world," he said. Cho Yoon-woo, one of the young Billys, said with a laugh, "We practiced through blood, sweat, and tears. I'll do my best to ensure that effort doesn't go to waste."
International production staff also noted that the show's historical backdrop resonates with Korean audiences. Associate director Ed Burnside explained, "There are connections between Korea's history in the 1980s and the circumstances depicted in the show. The community spirit of northeastern England is also similar to Korean sensibilities."
Veteran performers joining the cast include Choi Jung-won and Jeon Su-mi as ballet teacher Mrs. Wilkinson, and Park Jung-ja as Billy's grandmother. The musical "Billy Elliot" runs from June 12 through July 26 at Blue Square Shinhan Card Hall in Seoul.
