THE curtain will go up on a West End spectacular at Commonweal School tomorrow night as students put their ballet skills to the test to bring Lee Hall's Billy Elliot to life.

Over the course of three nights, a cast of 90 pupils from various year groups at the school will re-enact Lee Hall's 2000 box-office smash hit movie and subsequent West End musical.

“We chose the musical Billy Elliot to produce this year due to the challenge it gives us and the students," said Ali Sutcliffe, who is head of expressive arts and co-music director alongside Kirsty Driver. "After our last production of West Side Story, we were keen to continue to do a musical with a gritty storyline. We also wanted to choose a production with an emphasis on dance as we have such a strong dance contingent within the school.

"Approximately 90 students are currently involved in the production and with staff are going well above and beyond the call of duty rehearsing every day during lunchtimes and after school and also giving up their weekends to hone their skills.”

The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle and fulfilment are balanced against a counter-story of family and community strife caused by the UK miners' strike between 1984 and 1985 in County Durham.

Heather Birkbeck, the school's head of drama who has taken up the director's seat, said: “This is one of my favourite musicals and one of the most challenging to work on. Its background is very much part of my own history.

"I was brought up 11 miles from Easington and spent my very early years in a mining village not very different from Billy's.

"It is a powerful piece of work and Lee Halls script is a pleasure to work with. The musical tells the story of young Billy, who is born in a north eastern town, where men do “manly sports “and work in the mines. They do not dance and they certainly do not harbour ambitions of attending the Royal Ballet School.

"But Billy is a bit different. Brought up by a single father, without a mother's touch, Billy does not want to fight, but is enthralled by the grace and wonder of ballet. With great determination he attempts to prove doubters wrong by fulfilling his dreams.

"Nevertheless, it is one of the least sentimental musicals I have directed. The play reflects the harsh background of the 1980s miners strike and the community that surrounded Billy."

Choreographing the musical is the school's head of dance Claire Bowden. She said: “After the complex dance scenes from West Side Story two years ago, I thought that Billy Elliot would be a breeze, I very quickly found that I was wrong.

"Billy holds the most beautifully complex works which capture a range of emotions, from the raw reality of the miners strike to the dreams of a young dancer. The challenge for me this year was to make sure my choreography matched up to this well known and loved story.

"My favourite scenes to choreograph were the ballet girls, their energetic and exciting characters demonstrate the fun that dance can bring into your life. The characters enjoy what they do and are completely oblivious to how 'good' or bad they actually are.

"As always the students have amazed me with their talent and have been lovely to work with, I am really excited to see the finished product."

Ben Lancaster who plays the part of Tony, Billy Elliot’s brother, praised the school's teaching staff for pulling off such a complex musical. He said: “Billy Elliot simply could not be done without such amazing guidance, direction and support from our talented teachers. So, to say they're helpful would be an understatement! We have two fantastic drama teachers in Miss Birkbeck and Miss Stimpson who are always offering new and innovative perspectives on how to portray our characters.

"We also have Mrs Sutcliffe and Mrs Driver, who are always encouraging us to sing to the best of our abilities. Miss Bowden never fails to create such unique and stunning choreography. And of course there are numerous other members of staff who support the whole cast through the rehearsal process that shouldn't be forgotten.”

Tickets costing £7.50 for concessions and £10 for adults are available by emailing ticketing@commonweal.co.uk, although Friday night has now sold out. The school is advising the production is suitable for those aged eight and over.

Kyle Iles, age 12, - who is playing the title role - took some time out of rehearsals to answer a few questions.

•How are you feeling about the performance?

I am really excited about the performance and I am definitely sure it will feel like ‘electricity’.

• What have you done in the past?

I have played the role of Oliver with Salos when I was 10 and thoroughly enjoyed being a Munchkin this year. I have performed in a number of different venues such as the Wyvern Theatre, London Palladium and Disneyland Paris with Kitty Langan Studio.

•Do you want to carry on studying the Arts at Commonweal?

I would love to carry on studying the Arts at Commonweal because you get lots of opportunities to showcase your talent and to work towards your goals.

•Are you happy with the part you got?

I am extremely happy with my role as “Billy!” It is a dream come true for me and I am looking forward to the challenge and sharing the experience with my friends.

•How do you find the rehearsals?

The rehearsals are very intense as it is being produced in such a short time however, I am having so much fun!

•Are the teachers helpful?

The teachers are very helpful. They gave a lot of support and encouragement through the audition process and through to rehearsals, working very hard themselves to put this show together.

•What do you think of the Arts at Commonweal?

I would recommend anyone who enjoys the Arts to come to Commonweal as you are encouraged to develop your skills and talent in all areas of the Arts.