After 12 phenomenal years on stage playing to audiences of over 11 million people worldwide, Billy Elliot the Musical arrived in Birmingham Hippodrome with a bang last night for the first time ever on UK Tour.

With West-Bromwich’s own Lewis Smallman stepping into the shoes of Billy Elliot for press night, the stage was set for a knockout evening as over 200 celebrity guests, VIPs and members of the local media arrived in Birmingham for a night of boxing, brass-bands and ballet-dancing on Wed 8th March.

Warming up the crowds on arrival were The Jackfield Brass Band, whose rousing repertoire of classic numbers hit all the right notes with audiences. And of course, no press night party would be complete without a novelty, 14 foot Boxing ring!

Sporting their best Tu-Tus, Legwarmers and novelty Miners’ Helmets, our guests wasted no time getting into the press night spirit as you can see.

Check out Brummie celebrity guests, Alison Hammond, The Voice’s Capital B and the cast of BBC’s Doctors rocking our pop-up selfie station.

Luckily, Producer Jon Finn was on hand to bring audiences back down to earth with a touching tribute to the story about ‘a Northern lad with a talent for ballet’ which he has seen grow into a major international success story.

With plenty of laughs, more than a few tears and multiple standing ovations into the bargain, we think it’s safe to say the atmosphere was nothing short of electric!

Billy Elliot the Musical runs until Sat 29 April.