ON Sunday, September 28 September, Billy Elliot the Musical Live is set to bring cinema-goers to their feet when the global stage phenomenon is broadcast live from London’s West End to cinemas across the UK and around the world. But the musical, based on the film written by Geordie Lee Hall and set in Easington, East Durham, has two special screenings at the historic Easington Social Welfare Centre.

Situated in the heart of the former Durham coalfield, the Centre (formerly the Easington Colliery Miners’ Institute) was a key location during the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike. The screenings, presented in association with Universal Pictures, mark the launch of the first East Durham Creates Festival, a biannual festival of high-quality arts projects and events, presented in the East Durham area between autumn this year and summer 2016.

In the year marking the 30th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike, Billy Elliot tells the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against the odds to make his dream come true. Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he changes his life forever.

"What makes these screenings so special is that we’re the only place in the country offering the chance to see the musical outside of a theatre or cinema and, of course, it’s where this inspiring story is set,” says Nikki Locke, programme manager for East Durham Creates.

Billy Elliot the Musical has been dazzling London’s theatregoers at the Victoria Palace Theatre since 2005, winning more than 80 theatre awards globally including ten Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards.

Hall created the book and lyrics for the musical with pop legend Elton John composing the score.

  • At the end of October East Durham Creates presents a series of performances, exhibitions, workshops and events. The inaugural festival runs October 29 to November 15 and then spring and autumn until 2016.