Billy Elliot-The Musical Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lee Hall and Elton John

Lee Hall came up with the idea about Billy Elliot when imagining a boy from a mining town wearing a tutu. He worked on the film's screenplay and his friend, Stephen Daldry, agreed to direct the movie. Its title when shown at the Cannes Film Festival of 2000 was "Dancer". The movie "Dancer in the Dark" won the Golden Palm Award that year for Lars von Trier and Best Actress for Bjork, prompting the change in the movie title to "Billy Elliot". Elton John attended the initial screening of the film in Cannes and was brought to tears by it. After the film ended it was suggested to him that it would make a good stage musical. He talked about the possibilities with the people who made the film and it all developed from there. When needing someone to write the words for the songs Elton talked Lee Hall into doing it even though Lee had never written songs before.

Stephen Daldry is the director of the film and musical. Peter Darling is the choreographer of the film and musical. As of 2009 the people involved in both productions have put over a decade into "Billy Elliot".

Answer: The British Coal Miners' Strike of 1984 begins

In the original London Cast Recording there is a pause in the middle of the song and one of the miners yells "We're Out", signalling that the strike has begun. The tone of the song changes as shown in the lines "All out together, All out as one, All out for victory, till we've won". Billy also has his first solo in the middle of the song while the miners are off stage getting ready to hit the picket lines.

The strike went on for a year and is considered by many to be the biggest crisis in Great Britain since World War II, pitting friends against each other, the police against the miners, and unions against other unions.

Answer: Give the keys to the union hall to Mrs. Wilkinson

Billy is late for his boxing class at the union hall. After a poor performance in the ring, his coach has him stay extra and gives the keys for the building to him to give to Mrs. Wilkinson. This is a fun song to watch with the girls pushing Billy here and there to get him out of the way while he attempts to relinquish the keys.

At one point Billy serves as the chair and is sat on; he also waves a big feather fan with the ballet girls.

Answer: Michael

At this point not even Billy's best friend, Michael, knows that he has decided to take up ballet. In one of the longest songs of the play we have the girls and Billy learning different moves, confrontations between the police and miners, Billy's father learning that Billy hasn't been showing up to boxing, the adults dancing with the ballet girls, and some language not suitable for this web site.

The climax of the song has every group singing something different, but it all works nicely. Mr. Braithwaite is the piano player for the classes.

Answer: All of these happen

This song is fun to watch with Billy walking in on Michael wearing his sister's dress. Billy asks Michael if he should do the audition for the Royal Ballet, to which Michael replies, "I wouldn't if I were you, people will think you're mental." The boys switch to tap shoes during the song and the actors dressed as women's dresses come out to dance with them.

The message of the song can be summed up in the last lines,"Cos what the hell's wrong with expressing yourself? What we need is in-div-id-ual-ity."

Answer: Billy, Mrs. Wilkinson, and Billy's dead mother

Billy is asked by Mrs. Wilkinson to bring some personal items with him with which they can develop a dance routine. On of the items is a letter from Billy's mother which Billy isn't supposed to open until he turns 18 years old. He couldn't wait. In it his mother tells him how proud she is to have known Billy and to always be himself.

Answer: Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher

This song really drives home how much the miners hated Margaret Thatcher with them singing "We all celebrate today, cos it's one day closer to your death." The song takes place at the miners' Christmas party and the children are dressed as miners or Margaret Thatcher.

Answer: Deep Into the Ground

Billy's dad is encouraged to sing "Big Spender", from "Sweet Charity", but he decides to do an old folk song. At the end of the song when Billy's dad is referring to his wife, Billy completes the lyrics.

Answer: At the end of the interview at the Royal Ballet

Billy's interview at the Royal Ballet is a highlight of both movie and play. Billy tries to explain to the panel what he feels when he dances.

Answer: All of these answers

Billy is accepted to take ballet classes at the Royal Ballet. At about the same time the strike ends. In a very sentimental song at the end of the play they bring Billy's dead mother back for "The Letter(Reprise)" I hope you enjoy the play, or at least listen to the music and see why this is such a great play.