Billy Elliot Gets the X Factor???

The X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne are tipped to put in an appearance at next week’s gala performance of Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace (See News, 31 Oct 2006). According to the Daily Mail, the trio of vocal task masters from the popular ITV show will have cameo roles as the panel of judges Billy (played at the gala by the musical’s original star Liam Mower, returning especially) faces at his audition for the Royal Ballet School in the one-off performance on 22 November 2006. The performance will also feature Elton John, and is held in aid of the Easington Branch of the children’s charity, The Place2Be. Billy Elliot, which received its world premiere on 12 May 2005 (following previews from 31 March), is based on the 2000 film, which was nominated for three Oscars and 13 Bafta awards. Most of the film was shot in Easington Village where the terraced streets doubled as mining community at the time of the 1984 miners’ strike. The stage production reunites the creative team behind the film, including director Stephen Daldry, who is arranging the specially adapted performance for the gala.

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