Billy Elliot the Musical review: A breathtaking triumph that makes the region proud at Sunderland Empire

If you were to ask me to summarise Billy Elliot the Musical at Sunderland Empire, I'd have to borrow the words of Billy himself: "I can't really explain it, I haven’t got the words."

Perhaps that's the most fitting way to describe a production so extraordinary that words alone struggle to do it justice. If ever a production deserved more than five stars, this is it.

Billy Elliot the Musical is nothing short of extraordinary, and seeing a story so deeply rooted in the North East return home to open its latest tour makes the experience all the more special.

From the breathtaking choreography to the deeply moving performances, this is a production that demands your attention from the opening moments and refuses to let go until the final curtain.

Electricity on stage

At the heart of it all is William Gurney, whose portrayal of Billy Elliot is simply mesmerising. He captures the character's frustrations, vulnerability and determination with remarkable authenticity, taking the audience on every step of Billy's journey. His talent as a dancer is undeniable, but it is the emotion he brings to the role that makes his performance so special.

Nowhere was this more apparent than during Electricity. The number was already one of the evening's most anticipated moments, although things didn't go entirely to plan. A technical issue meant the show had to breifly stop before restarting from the song.

Perhaps that interruption made what followed even more powerful.

As Gurney completed the number, the energy inside Sunderland Empire was incredible. The pride etched across his face seemed to mirror the overwhelming pride felt by those watching. It was a moment that reminded me exactly why live theatre is so special.

But Gurney is far from the only standout performer.

Harper Etienne, playing Billy's best friend Michael, is a revelation. With a wonderful combination of cheekiness, charm and fabulous comic timing, Etienne effortlessly steals every scene he appears in. He makes Michael utterly endearing, and his appearances quickly become some of the most eagerly anticipated comedic moments of the production.

There is also a particularly welcome return for Wallsend’s Deka Walmsley, who reprises the role of Billy's dad a decade after his previous appearance in the production.

Walmsley brings real emotional weight and authenticity to one of the show's most interesting characters. His portrayal of a father struggling to understand his son's ambitions, while dealing with the pressures facing his family and mining community, holds real weight on stage. It is a performance that feels completely at home in a story with such strong North East roots.

The choreography is equally outstanding, particularly during the large, intricate ensemble numbers. There is so much happening on stage that it is difficult to know where to look, yet every movement appears perfectly considered.

For that, the ensemble deserves enormous credit. There is an unmistakable sense of camaraderie among the company, and even during the busiest scenes, the performers work together with remarkable precision. The result is a stage that constantly feels alive, with the choreography contributing just as much to the storytelling as the dialogue.

An emotional rollercoaster

One of the show's greatest achievements, however, is its ability to take the audience from one emotional extreme to another. One moment you find yourself fighting back tears, and barely 30 seconds later you're laughing uncontrollably.

The Letter, exploring Billy's relationship with his late mother, is particularly moving. There is something incredibly intimate about the scene. The encounter may exist in Billy's imagination, but the feelings are painfully real. The love and longing between mother and son are conveyed so beautifully that the simplicity of the moment becomes every bit as powerful as the biggest musical numbers.

Visually, the production is just as impressive. The ambitious set design brings Billy's world to life, with each setting adding character and authenticity to the story. Transitions between locations happen so seamlessly that the staging never distracts from the action. Instead, it becomes another important part of the storytelling, moving effortlessly between the quieter family scenes and the enormous ensemble numbers.

But perhaps what makes Billy Elliot the Musical so special is the overwhelming sense of heart running through every element.

Billy is back home

This has always been a story about defying expectations, following your dreams and finding the courage to be yourself. Yet it is also a story about family, community and a region facing enormous change. There is something particularly powerful about watching those themes unfold in the North East, where the history behind the musical still means so much.

And that is what makes this homecoming feel so significant. A story born in the region has returned with a company capable of delivering it on an extraordinary scale, without losing any of its intimacy or emotional impact.

Quite simply, this is a production that does the North East proud. The calibre of talent on display is exceptional, and any local theatre-goer owes it to themselves to experience it.

Five stars simply don't feel like enough. If six were an option, this production would have earned every single one.