Dance / tom marshman
Tom Marshman and Ryan O’Shea channel Billy Elliot in ‘a celebration of dance, queer friendships, and identity’
Immediately beloved by its audience, Stephen Daldry’s film Billy Elliot (2000) gave rise to a smash-hit Olivier and Tony-Award-winning West End musical five years later which has since been staged around the world.
Set against the turbulence of the 1984-85 miner’s strike, the story follows a young boy (Jamie Bell) who goes against his father’s wishes and opts for ballet over boxing class.
is needed now More than ever
With a memorable performance from Julie Walters as the ballet teacher who saw in Billy a chance to follow his passion for dance, the film juxtaposed a very raw and recent piece of British social history with a moving exploration of gender identity and belonging.
In a new festive performance inspired by Billy Elliot, artists Tom Marshman and Ryan O’Shea invite audiences into their creative exploration of dance, queer identity, and in their words, “the challenges of aging”.
A regional tour of their hour-long show Billy: Twirling Through Time will culminate in a nine-day run at Watershed, beginning on December 20.
In a vibrant performance that promises pirouette, spin, lip-sync “cheap wigs” and “even cheaper costumes”, the pair will “pay homage to a film that has profoundly influenced the queer experience”, in true celebration of the strength and depth of queer friendship.
“Billy Elliot is my mum’s favourite film,” says O’Shea, “and I think watching it with her growing up I was unafraid to be my true queer self. There are lots of themes in the film that resonate with the LGBTQ+ community.”
For Marshman, the connection is especially strong because he is the same age as Billy. “The film captures pivotal moments from our recent history, and mine too,” he reflects. “Revisiting it brings new layers of meaning and makes me think of what might have happened if I didn’t drop out of dance class.”
Billy: Twirling Through Time is at Watershed on December 20-28 at 8pm, with an additional 2.30pm matinee show on Saturday 21. Tickets are available at www.watershed.co.uk.
The show is presented by Beacons, Icons and Dykons, with funding from Arts Council England, Pervasive Media Studios and Watershed.
To keep up with news of future events and performances, follow @ryanosheatheatre and @tom.marshman.
Main photo: Vonalina Cake
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