[On Stage] From Mining Town Boys to 76-Year-Old Men... Dreams Blossom at the Tips of Their Toes

Musical "Billy Elliot" and Original Musical Play "Navillera"
Exploring the Value of Dreams and Life Through Ballet

Ballet was an irreplaceable treasure for both Billy Elliot, a boy living in a British mining town, and Sim Deok-chul, a 76-year-old Korean man who retired from civil service. For each of them, ballet was not only a dream but life itself.

The musical "Billy Elliot" and the creative musical play "Navillera" by the Seoul Arts Troupe both use ballet to explore the value of dreams and life that people should never let go of.

Ballet is often called the art that defies gravity. Ballet dancers leap energetically, yet must land as lightly as if floating in the air, embodying elegance in their movements. To create the illusion of weightlessness, dancers must rigorously train their muscles. The relentless effort of dancers who constantly train their bodies and defy gravity closely resembles our own journey of overcoming hardships and building our lives. "Billy Elliot" and "Navillera" vividly portray the lives of a young boy and an elderly man who pursue the dream of ballet, honestly reflecting our own desire to soar while bearing the weight of life.

Musical 'Billy Elliot' performance scene. Synnara Company

Musical 'Billy Elliot' performance scene. SynC Company

"Billy Elliot" is based on the 2000 film of the same name. Elton John, a giant in British pop music, suggested to Stephen Daldry, who directed the film, that it be adapted into a musical. The musical premiered in London’s West End in 2005, with Daldry directing and Elton John composing the music. It debuted on Broadway in 2008 and won the Tony Award for Best Musical the following year.

The story is set in a northern English mining town in the 1980s, during the tenure of the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who forcefully pushed neoliberal policies. At the time, the government privatized and closed mines in the name of efficiency. The mining community went on strike in solidarity to fight for survival, but as time passed, their strength waned. Ultimately, they succumbed to the government’s privatization, but they united to support Billy’s dream of becoming a ballet dancer. Even amidst the strike, they pooled their money to help Billy enroll in a ballet school in London. Through this story, the production questions what values a community should protect and the importance of solidarity.

One of the greatest joys of the musical "Billy Elliot" is the explosive energy displayed by the young actors who play Billy. To be cast as Billy, candidates must meet strict requirements: they must be between 8 and 12 years old, under 150 cm in height, have not reached puberty, and be skilled dancers. In the audition that began in September 2024, about 240 children from across the country applied, and four Billys with an average age of 11.5 were selected. Over a year, they each trained for six hours a day, six days a week, learning ballet, tap, acrobatics, and more, and now showcase their talents on stage. Especially memorable scenes include Billy and his friend Michael tap dancing in Act 1, the "Angry Dance" at the end of Act 1 where Billy expresses his fury after fighting with his father over ballet, and the "Dream Ballet" near the end of Act 2, where young Billy and adult Billy perform a pas de deux and young Billy soars above the stage with the help of adult Billy using wires—these moments are truly spectacular.

"Navillera" is based on the webtoon of the same name. The story centers on 76-year-old Sim Deok-chul and Lee Chae-rok, a once-promising young ballet dancer who has lost his way after an injury.

Scene from the creative musical play 'Nabillera'. Seoul Arts Troupe

Performance scene from the creative musical drama 'Nabillera'. Seoul Arts Company

As a child, Sim Deok-chul was deeply moved watching ballet in Russia with his father. Although he now suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and forgets many things, his childhood memories of ballet remain vivid. When he announces his intention to learn ballet, some family members strongly oppose him, but Deok-chul remains steadfast. At the ballet academy, the troublesome Chae-rok is assigned as Deok-chul’s instructor. Though initially at odds, the two gradually come to understand each other, and Deok-chul ultimately fulfills his dream of becoming a ballet dancer.

While the narrative may feel familiar, the refined dialogue that imparts wisdom about life adds depth and charm to the production.

Particularly moving are the conversations between Deok-chul and Chae-rok, as well as those with his family, which resonate with the audience on issues of life’s attitudes. The play concludes with a pas de deux performed by Deok-chul and Chae-rok, symbolizing their mutual reliance. Before this, there is a touching scene where Deok-chul and his wife Boon-yi come to understand each other and join hands as they dance together, leaving an impression as powerful as any pas de deux in a traditional ballet performance.

Another appeal of "Navillera" is that audiences can enjoy snippets of famous ballets and classical music such as "Swan Lake," "Giselle," "The Nutcracker," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Bolero," as well as short ballet performances. The production features ten professional ballet dancers on stage.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.