Billy Elliot - Manitoba Theatre Centre

jan
feb
14 6
2016
JOHN
JOHN
HIRSCH
HIRSCH
MAINSTAGE
MAINSTAGE
THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
st u dy g u i de
TheRoyalManitobaTheatreCentre
Productionof
StudyGuidebyAnnaSchmidt
THEATREETIQUETTE
“Thetheaterissoendlesslyfascinatingbecauseit'ssoaccidental.It'ssomuchlikelife.”–ArthurMiller
ArriveEarly:Latecomersmaynotbeadmittedtoaperformance.Pleaseensureyouarrivewithenough
timetofindyourseatbeforetheperformancestarts.
Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices: Please TURN OFF your cell phones/iPods/gaming
systems/cameras.Wehaveseenanincreaseintexting,surfing,andgamingduringperformances,which
isverydistractingfortheperformersandotheraudiencemembers.Theuseofcamerasandrecording
devicesisstrictlyprohibited.
TalkingDuringthePerformance:Youcanbeheard(evenwhenwhispering!)bytheactorsonstageand
the audience around you. Disruptive patrons will be removed from the theatre. Please wait to share
yourthoughtsandopinionswithothersuntilaftertheperformance.
Food/Drinks: Food and hot drinks are not allowed in the theatre. Where there is an intermission,
concessionsmaybeopenforpurchaseofsnacksanddrinks.Thereiscomplimentarywaterinthelobby.
Dress: There is no dress code at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, but we respectfully request that
patrons refrain from wearing hats in the theatre. We also strive to be a scent-free environment, and
thankallpatronsfortheircooperation.
LeavingDuringthePerformance:Ifanaudiencememberleavesthetheatreduringaperformance,they
willbereadmittedatthediscretionofourFrontofHousestaff.Shouldtheybereadmitted,theywillnot
beusheredbacktotheiroriginalseat,butplacedinavacantseatatthebackoftheauditorium.
Being Asked to Leave: The theatre staff has, and will exercise, the right to ask any member of the
audience to leave the performance if that person is being disruptive. Inappropriate and disruptive
behaviour includes, but is not limited to: talking, using electronic devices, cameras, laser pointers, or
other light- or sound-emitting devices, and deliberately interfering with an actor or the performance
(tripping,throwingitemsonornearthestage,etc.).
Talkbacks: All Tuesday evening performances and final matinees at MTC feature a talkback with
members of the cast following the show. While watching the performance, make a mental note of
questionstoasktheactors.Questionscanbeaboutthestory,theinterpretation,lifeinthetheatre,etc.
Enjoytheshow:Laugh,applaud,cheerandrespondtotheperformanceappropriately.Makesureto
thankalltheartistsfortheirhardworkwithapplauseduringthecurtaincall.
MAJORCHARACTERS
BillyElliot
Michael
Ayoungboywithapassionfordance
Billy'sfriend
Jackie
Tony
Mum
Billy'sfather,aminer
Billy'solderbrother,aminer
Billy'smother
Billy'sgrandmother.Sheappearstosufferfromdementia
andhasatasteforpasties.
Grandma
Mrs.Wilkinson
Mr.Wilkinson
Debbie
Mr.Braithwaite
Billy'sballetteacher
Mrs.Wilkinson'shusband
Mrs.Wilkinson'sdaughter,shetakesballetclasswithBilly
Thepianist
George
Theboxingteacher
Lesley
BigDavey
Aminer
Aminer
BalletGirls
Youngworking-classgirlsinballetclass.Alltheywanttodo
itshine.
TheMiners
Workingclassmen,minerswhoareonstrike.
CreatingBillyElliot—TheStory
OnSeptember29,2000,UniversalPicturesandFocusFeaturesreleaseda
BritishfilmcalledBillyElliotaboutaboywhosedreamofbecominga
balletdancerputhimatoddswithhisworkingclasscoal-miningfamily.
ThefilmwasproducedbyGregBrenmanandJonFinn,writtenbyLeeHall,
directedbyStephenDaldry,andco-producedbyBBCFilms,TigerAspect
Pictures,StudioCanalandWorkingTitleFilms.Setinnorth-easternEngland
duringthe1984-85coalminers'strike,thefilmstarsJamieBellas11-yearoldBilly.Thefilmwasbothacriticalandaboxofficesuccess.
Oneoftheaudiencemembersatthefilm’sfirstscreeningattheCannes
FilmFestivalwasSirEltonJohn.Johnrelatedimmediatelytothethemes
JamieBellasBillyElliot(source--
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/billyelliot/images/3806769/title/jamie-bellbilly-elliot-photo)
andcharacterizationsofthefilm,andhispartnerDavidFurnishremarkedthatitwouldmakeagreat
stagemusical.
Inspiredbywhathehadseen,EltonJohnjoinedforceswithLeeHallwhohadwrittentheoriginal
screenplay.Hallwrotethebookandlyricsforthestagemusical,withJohncomposingthemusic.
StephenDaldryreturnedtodirect,andBillyElliottheMusicalopenedinLondon’sWestEndin2005.It
openedinAustraliain2007andonBroadwayin2008.
CreatingBillyElliot–TheCharacter
ThefilmversionofBillyElliotowedmuchofitssuccesstothebrilliantperformanceofJamieBell,the14yearoldactorwhotookonthedemandingtitlerole.PerformingthecharacterofBillyElliotrequires
skillsindancing,singing,andacting,aswellastremendousendurancetocarrytheenergyofthewhole
play.Forthatreasonproductionstypicallycastmorethanoneboyintheleadingrole,withtheyoung
performerstakingturnssothatnooneboyhastobeonstageforeveryperformance.
Thetwenty-minutevideodocumentary,FindingBillyElliot,highlightsthechallengesandrevealsthelong
andcomplexprocessofselectingtheyoungactorstoplayBillyforthemusical’sBroadwaydebut.The
videoclipcanbeviewedathttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc7w608_S6Q.
DIDYOUKNOW...?
TheRoyalManitobaTheatreCentrehastwoBillys,EthanRibeiroandEamonStocks.EthanandEamon
havebeenimmersedina12weektrainingprogramtogetreadyfortheirroles.Theirprogramincludes
twenty-twohoursofdancingperweek(ballet,modern,tap,jazz,andcontemporarydance),twohoursa
weekofvocaltraining,andtwohoursofacrotraining –allwhilekeepingupwiththeirschoolwork!
Theyhaven’tdoneitalone.OurBillyshavehadthesupportofCanada’sRoyalWinnipegBalletSchool
ProfessionalDivisionFaculty,aBillyTrainer,avocalcoach,aprivateacroinstructor,acroclasses,
academicsupportfromTheUniversityofWinnipegCollegiate,andtwoprivateacademictutors.Ittakes
avillagetoraiseaBilly!
HISTORY
TheMiners’Strike
BillyElliotissetagainstthebackdropoftheyear-longminers’strikethatdevastatedcommunities
throughouttheUnitedKingdom(UK)fromMarch6,1984toMarch3,1985,describedbytheBritish
BroadcastingCorporationas“themostbitterindustrialdisputeinBritishHistory.”Thestrikewasthe
culminationofyearsoftensionbetweentheminers’unionandthegovernment.
MargaretThatcherwaselectedPrimeMinisteroftheUKin1979.Intheearlyyearsofhertenure,her
conservativefiscalpoliciesaimedataggressivelyfightinginflationhadtheeffectofdramatically
increasingthealreadyhighunemployment.
TheBritishminingindustryhadalong,proudlabourhistory.TheMiners'FederationofGreatBritain,
establishedin1888,evolvedintoTheNationalUnionofMineworkers(NUM)in1945.In1909theunion
becameformallyaffiliatedwithLabourParty.
DemandforcoalhadbeenhighrightaftertheSecondWorldWar,butbegantowaneasotherenergy
sourcesbegantotakeprecedence.Large-scalemineclosuresinthe1960smeantthatmanyminers
migratedtotheYorkshireandMidlandsregionswherethecoalfieldswerericher.Labourunrestgrew
from1969onwards,culminatinginanationalstrikein1972andfurtherstrikeactionin1974inresponse
toabanonovertime.In1981theThatchergovernmentannouncedaplantoclose23pits,butbacked
downatthethreatofastrikebecausecoalstockswerelow.Infact,thegovernmentgavetheminersa
9.3%raise,encouragingincreasedproductivity.Ironically,thisincreasedproductivityledtocoalbeing
stockpiled,whichthenenabledthegovernmenttojustifyfurtherclosures.
BetweenMarch1981andMarch1984,theNationalCoalBoard—thegovernmentagencyresponsible
forthemines--cut41,000collieryjobs.Someminerstransferredtootherminesandthereweresome
localizedstrikes.Manyminingtownshadnootherseriousindustries,soclosingthemineeffectively
meantdestroyingacommunity.
In1982ArthurScargill,amilitantYorkshireminer,becamepresidentoftheNUM.Scargillwasavocal
attackerofMargaretThatcher'sgovernment--hebelievedthegovernmentwasouttodestroyboththe
coalindustryandtheNUM.
Thestrikelastedayear,andinvolvedover142,000miners.Miningcommunitiessufferedextreme
hardship,andtherewereviolentclashesbetweenthestrikersandthepolice,resultinginthreedeaths
andcountlessinjuries.
TheNUMvotedtoreturntoworkonMarch3,1985.Theminersweredefeated,andthepoliticalpower
oftheNUMinparticularandtheBritishlabourmovementingeneralwasseverelyreduced.Whatwas
leftoftheBritishcoalindustrywasprivatizedinDecember1994.By2009therewereonly6working
minesleftofthe174thathadbeeninexistencepriortothestrike.Today,Britainimportsthemajorityof
thecoalituses.
RoyalBalletSchool
TheinternationallyfamousRoyalBalletSchoolbegan
in1926whenDameNinettedeValoisopenedher
AcademyofChoreographicArtincollaborationwith
LilianBaylis,ManageroftheOldVicTheatre.The
schoolandassociateddancecompanyunderwenta
numberofmovesandnamechanges,untiltheRoyal RoyalBalletSchool(source--
CharterwasgrantedinOctober1956andtheywere https://boysballet.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/strictlycome-ballet-dancing/)
renamedTheRoyalBalletSchool,TheRoyalBallet
andtheSadler’sWellsRoyalBallet(laterrenamedBirminghamRoyalBalletfollowingitsmovetherein
1990).Well-knownalumniincludeMargotFonteyn,AnyaLinden,KennethMacMillan,LynnSeymour,
DavidWall,AntoinetteSibley,AnthonyDowell,MargueritePorter,StephenJefferies,Darcey
BussellandJonathanCope.
AdmissiontotheSchoolcontinuesbasedpurelyontalentandpotential,regardlessofacademicability
orpersonalcircumstances.ThemajorityofstudentsrelyonfinancialsupporttoattendtheSchool.
Studentswhoareselectedembarkonaneight-yearcarefullystructureddancecourse,alongwithan
extensiveacademicprogram.
SYNOPSIS
Act1
Scene1:ItisMarch1984.AstheplayopensthesmallYorkshireminingcommunityofEasington
receiveswordthattheNationalUnionofMineworkershasvotedtostrike.Theopeningmusicalnumber,
TheStarsLookDown,highlightsthesolidarityofthestrikingminersandtheirdeterminationtofightfor
abetterfuture.WemeetyoungBillyElliot,whosharesaglimpseintohisowndreamsofadifferent
future.
Scene2:BreakfastintheElliothousehold.Billy’solderbrotherTonyandtheirfatherJackieheadoffto
thepicketline,leavingBillytonavigatebreakfastwithhisgrandmother,whosebehavioursuggestsshe
hasAlzheimer’s.ItisevidentthattheElliotfamilyisstrugglinginthewakeoftheuntimelydeathof
Billy’smother,whoappearstoBillyinaquietmoment.
Scene3:BillyandhisbestfriendMichaelgototheirregularboxinglesson.Billy’slackofinterestin
boxingiseclipsedonlybyhislackofabilityinthesport.
Scene4:George,theboxinginstructor,leavesBillybehindatthecommunityhalltopracticehisboxing
moves,andBillysuddenlyfindshimselfcaughtupinaballetclassundertheinstructionofMrs.
Wilkinson,themotherofBilly’sclassmateDebbie.Heendsupparticipatinginthewholeclass,dancing
alongwiththegirlstoShine.Mrs.Wilkinsonmakesitclearsheexpectstoseehimbacknextweek.
Scenes5:BillyisbackhomewithGrandma,onceagaindealingwithherforgetfulnessandconfusion.
Scene6:InGrandma’sSong,GrandmaremembersclearlythatherlifewithBilly’sgrandfatherwasnota
happyone.Sheregretshavingdevotedherlifetodoingonlywhatothersexpectedofher.
Scene7:Withapoliceblockadeasabackdrop,BillyreturnstoMrs.Wilkinson’sdanceclass.Thestrains
ofShinenowinterminglewiththeminers’choruschantsofSolidarityandtheangrypoliceresponse.
Scene8:Billy’sfatherisfurioustodiscoverthathissonhasbeenskippingboxingclasstoattendballet
andforbidsBillytocontinue.
Scene9:Mrs.WilkinsontellsBillythatshethinkshehasenoughpotentialasadancertoauditionfor
theRoyalBalletSchool,andofferstoteachhimprivately.
Scene10:BillygoestovisitMichael,andfindshisfrienddressingupinwomen’sclothing.OnceBillygets
overtheinitialshock,hejoinsMichaelinthemusicalnumberExpressingYourself,celebratingthevalue
ofbeingtruetooneself.
Scene11:Clashesbetweenthestrikingminersandthepolicehavebecomeincreasinglyviolent,and
someofthemoremilitantminersarebeginningtotakethelawintotheirownhands.Jackieintercepts
Tonywhoisheadingoutarmedforafight,andtheyengageinanuglystandoffthatsendsBilly
screamingtohisroom.
Scene12:BillyarrivesathisfirstprivatelessonwithMrs.Wilkinson.Atherrequest,hehasbroughta
collectionofoddsandendsthatmeansomethingtohimsothattheycancomeupwithideasfora
dance.HesharesTheLetterthathismotherleftforhimshortlybeforeshedied.TheydancetoWeWere
BorntoBoogie!
Scene13:DebbieflirtswithBillybuthismindisonlyonhisimminentaudition.
Scene14:Themorningoftheaudition,Billy’shomeisinchaosbecauseTonyhasbeeninjuredinafight.
FrustratedthatBillyhasn’tarrivedattheiragreed-uponmeetingspot,Mrs.Wilkinsonshowsupatthe
ElliothouseandaddstothechaosbyinformingJackiethathisyoungestsonismissinghisauditionfor
theRoyalBalletSchool.Jackieordersherout,andBillytohisroom.
Scene15:Billy’sdanceshisAngryDanceasthestrikersriot,andthecurtainfallsonAct1.
Act2
Scene1:Christmas1984.Thestrikeisinitstenthmonth,andthehardshipthatthecommunityisfacing
isbarelymaskedbythesatiricalchorusesofMerryChristmasMaggieThatcher.Jackie’sbittersweetsong
Iwon’tleavethemuntilIdieevokesmemoriesofBilly’smother.
Scene2:BillyandMichaelshareabeerintheemptycommunityhall.Michaelexpresseshisfeelingsfor
Billywithakiss.Billyismomentarilyshocked,andhemakesitclearthathedoesn’tsharetheattraction.
Asagestureoffriendship,BillyoffersMichaelatututotryon.
Scene3:MichaelheadshomeandweflashforwardintoaDreamBalletinwhichBillydanceswithhis
adultself.Jackiecomeslookingforhisyoungestson,andthedreamendswithBillystandinguptohis
father.
Scene4:Followingsomesoul-searching,JackiegoestoseeMrs.WilkinsontoaskifshethinksBillyreally
hasachancetobeacceptedintoballetschool.Sheinformshimthat,althoughBillymissedthelocal
audition,thereisstillachancehecouldauditioninLondon.Jackierefusesherofferoffinancialsupport,
insistingthatBillyishisresponsibility.
Scene5:HavingmadeuphismindthatheneedstoraisethemoneytosendBillytoLondontoaudition,
Jackieswallowshisprideandcrossesthepicketlinetojointheother“scabs”whoarecontinuingto
workthemine.Tonytriestostophim,andBillygetscaughtinthemidstoftheirstruggle.Whenthey
realizewhatthefightisabout,theotherminersrallytogethertocollectmoneyforBilly’saudition.
Scene6:Jackieswallowshisprideandacceptsagenerousdonationfromoneofthescabs.Theyareoff
toLondonfortheaudition.
Scene7:BillyandhisdadarriveinLondonfortheRoyalBalletSchoolaudition.Jackiefeels
uncomfortableandoutofhiselement,butachanceconversationwithamaledancerleaveshim
reflectiononwhatitwouldmeantosupportBilly’sdream.Billy,meanwhile,isanervouswreck.Heis
surprisedtolearnthattheauditionconsistsonlyofaseriesofexercises,andthattheauditionpanelhas
nointerestinobservingthedancehehasworkedsohardtoprepare.Infrustration,helashesoutand
shovesanotherboy.Theauditionpanelreprimandshimsternly.Justwhenitseemstheauditionhas
beenacompletedisaster,apanelistasksonefinalquestionthatinspiresBillytoexpresswhatdance
meanstohim,whichhedoesinElectricity.
Scene8:BackinEasington,theminersaregatheredinthecommunitysoupkitchenfortheirmeagre
meal.EveryoneiseagertoknowhowBilly’sauditionwent.
Scene9:ThelongawaitedletterarrivesfromtheRoyalBalletSchool.Billyhasbeenacceptedintothe
school!Asthefamilycelebrates,theygetwordthatthestrikehasended.TheNationalUnionofMiners
hascavedtothegovernment’sdemandsandtheminerswillgobacktoworkwithnothingtoshowfor
theiryear-longbattle.
Scene10:BillyreturnstoMrs.Wilkinson’sballetclassonelasttimetotellhisteacherhisnewsandto
saygoodbye.
Scene11:TheminerswishBillywellandpreparetogodownthemine,singingOncewewerekings.
Scene12:Billy’smotherappearstohimonelasttimeanditappearsthatheisnowreadytowishher
farewell.Thefinalfarewell,however,isforMichael,wholooksonasBillyembarksonhisnewlife.
GLOSSARY
Brit-speak
Cushisregionalslangfor“excellent.”
Esquireisatitlethathistoricallyreferredtoa
youngnobleman.
Billypays“fiftyp”forhislessons,whichisshort
for“fiftypence.”Apenceisonehundredthofa
pound,ortheBritishequivalentofapenny.
LooisBritishslangforwashroom.
Poufisaderogatoryslangtermforagayman.
Trainersareathleticshoes–whatwemightcall
“sneakers”or“runners.”
LabourLanguage
Collieryisanothernameforacoalmineandthe
structuresassociatedwithit.Acoalmineris
calledacollier.
Whenagroupofworkersbandtogether
formallytocollectivelynegotiatetheirworking
conditionswiththeiremployer,thegroupis
referredtoasalabourunion,orjustaunion.
Largeunionswilltypicallybeorganizedinto
smallergroups,orlocals,eachofwhichwill
havealeaderorstewardchosenbythegroup
members.Stewardswouldmeettogetherto
strategizeundertheleadershipofaconvenor
chosenfromtheirranks.
Whenaunionisunabletoreachanegotiated
settlementwiththeemployer,itwillsometimes
resorttoastrike:unionmembersrefuseto
workinthehopethattheemployerwillbe
forcedtomeettheirdemandssothatthe
companywillnotceasetobeproductive.Strikes
aretypicallyalastresort;theycanbeveryhard
onthestrikingmemberssinceaslongasthey
arenotworkingtheywillnotbepaid.
Strikingunionmemberswilltypicallywalka
picketlinecarryingsignstodrawpublic
attentiontothelabourdisputeinordertoput
pressureontheemployer.
Itsometimeshappensthatanemployerwill
bringinotherworkerswhoarenotmembersof
theuniontokeepproductiongoingduringthe
strike.Thesestrikebreakersaresoreviledthat
they
PicketersinSheffield,1984(source-Http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/content/articles/2009/03/1
are
comm 1/women_against_pit_closures_barbara_jackson_feature.shtml)
onlyreferredtoasscabs.Ascabmightalsobea
memberofthestrikingunionwhohasoptedto
reporttoworkregardlessofthestrike.Goingto
workasastrikebreakerorscabisoftenreferred
toas“crossingthepicketline.”
Balletterms
ofthekneeorkneeswithstrongturnoutfrom
feet,kneesandhips.
Ballethasawholevocabularyofitsown,
traditionallyinFrench.Herearesometerms
youwillhearintheplay.
Attitudeisastandingpositionononelegwith
theotherlegliftedinthefrontorthebackwith
thekneebentatanangleof90degreesand
wellturnedoutsothatthekneeishigherthan
thefoot.
Aballetomaneissomeonewhoisafanofthe
ballet.
Thehorizontalwoodenbarattachedtothe
wallsoftheballetclassroomwhichthedancer
holdsforsupportiscalledthebarre.Every
balletclassbeginswithexercisesatthebarre.
Chainés(pronouncedsheh-NAY)Means
“Chains,links”.Thisisthemostsimpletermfor
“turns”.Thedancerperformsaseriesof
travelingturnsbyquickstepsthatinvolve
alternatingfeet.
Adéveloppéisamovementinwhichthe
workinglegisdrawnuptothekneeofthe
standinglegandslowlyextended(develops)to
anopenpositionintheairwithcontrol.It
requiresgreatbalanceandstrongcenter!
Devantsimplymeans“infront.”
Pirouette,possiblythemostcommonlyknown
balletterm,means“spin”.
Pliémeans“Bent,bending”.Oneofthemost
famousmovesinBallet,itreferstothebending
Demi-plié(maledancer)andgrandplié(femaledancer)
atthebarre.(source--http://dancewithheidi.com/wpcontent/uploads/2013/10/plie1.jpg)
Pointetechniqueisthepartofclassicalballet
techniquethatconcernspointework,inwhicha
balletdancersupportsallbodyweightonthe
tipsoffullyextendedfeet.
Promenademeans“Turninawalk”.A
promenadeiswhenadancerturnsaroundon
onelegwiththestandingleg’sheelonthefloor,
whiletheotherlegisinapositionsuchasan
arabesqueorattitudederriere.
Tendudescribesanymovementthatis
stretchedoutorheldtightly.
Turn-outistheabilityofthedancertoturnout
his/herfeetfromthehip.Itisconsidered
essentialtoballet.
Atutuistheshortclassicalballetskirt.
DIDYOUKNOW…?Balletdancersmusttrainformanyyearsbeforebecomingprofessionaldancers–infact,many
spendmoreyearsintrainingthantheydodancingprofessionally!Mostdancersbegintheirtrainingbytheageoften,
andalthoughitisadvantageoustobeginearlier,somemaledancerscanstillbesuccessfuliftheystarttrainingmuch
later.Femaledancerswhointendtostudypointeworkmustmeetanumberofcriteria,includingprevioustraining
andtheirageinrelationtobonedevelopment.
QuestionsforDiscussion
1. Mrs.WilkinsontellsBilly,“…dancingisasmuchaboutyoudiscoveringthingsaboutyourselfasit
isdiscoveringaboutdancing.”WhatdoesBillydiscoverabouthimselfthroughouttheplay?
2. Mrs.Wilkinsonalsostates,“Yousee,therearetwobasictheoriesaboutdance.Oneis,it'sa
technicalexercise-Somethingyoulearnfromtheoutsideandjustrepeat.Orit'saverypersonal
expressionthatyourealizefromwithin.”Howarethesetwoviewpointsondancereflected
throughouttheplay?Intheend,whichviewpointdoestheplayappeartoadvocate?Doyou
agreewiththisviewpoint?
3. Theplayopensonthestartoftheminers’strike,andcloseswiththeday,ayearlater,whenthe
minersreturntothepitsindefeat.WhatroledoesthestrikeplayinBilly’sjourney?
4. HowisMichael’sexplorationofhissexualityimportanttothestory?
5. Billyhastocontendwithhiscommunity’sdeeplyheldstereotypethat“balletisforgirls.”What
otherstereotypesarerevealedandchallengedthroughoutthestory?
Activities
1. ViewtheoriginalfilmversionofBillyElliotthatwastheinspirationforthestageplay.Inmany
waysthestageplayremainsverytruetotheoriginalstory,buttherearesomedifferences.In
whatwaysdoestheplaydifferfromthemovie?Whatreasonsmightbebehindthese
differences?Whichversiondoyoupreferandwhy?
2. The2014BritishmoviePrideisanotherstoryinwhichtheMiners’strikeof1984-85iscentralto
thestory.PrideisaretellingofthetruestoryofagroupofgayandlesbianyouthfromLondon
whosupportedaWelshminingcommunitywhichwasstrugglingfinanciallyduetothestrike.
ComparehowtheeventsandimpactofthestrikeareportrayedinPridewiththewaytheyare
portrayedinBillyElliot.
3. HereinWinnipegwehaveourveryown“RoyalBalletSchool”—affiliatedwiththeRoyal
WinnipegBallet!ResearchtheprogramofstudiesthatisofferedbytheRWBProfessional
Program.Ifyoucan,attendaperformancebytheRWB.
4. InthesongElectricity,Billystrugglestofindwordstodescribetheindescribable.Writeapoem,
songorstorythatattemptstocaptureinwordsafeelingorexperiencethatisdifficulttoput
intolanguage.
CurriculumConnections:
Physical
Education/
Health
K.4.8.A.1
K.4.7.A.1
English
GLO2-Comprehendand
respondpersonallyand
criticallytooral,print,and
othermediatexts
GLO5-CelebrateandBuild
Community
Social
Studies
Senior4:WesternCivilization
Examinetheeffectsofstereotypingbasedonavarietyoffactors(e.g.,
gender,age,race,roles,media
influences,bodytype,sexualorientation,sourceofincome...),andways
(e.g.,set/reviewpersonalandgroupnorms,standards...)topromote
acceptanceofselfandothers.
Compareattitudesandbehaviours(i.e.,inclusive/exclusive,positive
acceptance/rejection,open/discriminatory)thatcontributetoasenseof
belonging.
ExperienceVariousTexts(2.2.1)Experiencetextsfromavarietyofforms
andgenresandculturaltraditions;explainvariousinterpretationsofthe
sametext.
AppreciatetheArtistryofTexts(2.2.3)Discusshowwordchoiceand
supportingdetailsinoral,literary,andmediatexts[includingbooks,drama,
andoralpresentations]affectpurposeandaudience.
AppreciateDiversity(5.2.3)Reflectonwaysinwhichthechoicesand
motivesofindividualsencounteredinoral,literary,andmediatextsprovide
insightintothoseofselfandothers;discusspersonalparticipationand
responsibilitiesinavarietyofcommunities.
MajorMovementsandEventsofthe19thCentury:Reaction(Conservatism)
versusReform(Liberalism)
DRC-1:Thelearnerdevelops
understandingsaboutpeople
andpracticesinthedramatic
arts.
Drama
engagingwithlocal,Manitoban,andCanadiancontributorsand
contributionstothedramaticarts(e.g.,drama/theatreartists,
groups,events,communityandculturalresources,innovations)to
expandlearningopportunities
examininghowthedramaticartsandartistsinfluence,comment
DRC-2:Thelearnerdevelops on,question,andchallengesocial,political,andculturaldiscourse
andidentity
understandingsaboutthe
influenceandimpactofthe
examiningtheimpactofcontext(e.g.,personal,social,cultural,
dramaticarts
political,economic,geographical,environmental,historical,
technological)onthedramaticartsandartists
exploringhowdrama/theatreandartistsmakeandcommunicate
meaningandcreateuniquewaystoknowselfandtoperceivethe
DRC-3:Thelearnerdevelops
world.
understandingsaboutthe
roles,purposes,andmeanings examininghowthedramaticartscanbeameansofsharingdiverse
viewpointsandofunderstandingtheperspectivesofothersexamining
ofthedramaticarts
waysthatthedramaticartsreflect,interpret,andrecordtraditions,values,
beliefs,issues,andeventsinsocietyandculture
expressingfirstimpressions(e.g.,thoughts,feelings,intuitions,
DR–R1:Thelearnergenerates
associations,questions,experiences,memories,stories,
initialreactionsto
connectionstootherdisciplines)evokedbydrama/theatreworks
drama/theatreexperiences.
andexperiencesasastartingpointforcriticalanalysisand
reflection
DR–R2:Thelearnercritically
observesanddescribes
drama/theatreexperiences
DR–R3:Thelearneranalyzes
andinterpretsDrama/theatre
experiences.
discerningdetailsaboutdrama/theatreelements,forms,styles,
tools,andtechniquestoinformanalysis,interpretation,judgment,
andevaluation
generatingandco-constructingcriteriatocriticallyevaluateartistic
qualityandeffectiveness
Resources
"1984:ThebeginningoftheendforBritishcoal".London:BBCNews.Retrieved11July2015.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/12/newsid_3503000/3503346.stm
BalletTermsExplained—BalletDictionaryOnline.http://www.learntodance.com/online-ballet-dancelessons/
BillyElliot.Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Elliot
BillyElliottheMusical.Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Elliot_the_Musical
FindingBillyElliot.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc7w608_S6Q
MakingofBillyElliot.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuBzGWrBCwE
Miners'strike30yearson:'Ifoughtnotjustfor“mypit”butforthecommunity'
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/guardianwitness-blog/2015/mar/05/miners-strike-30-years-on-ifought-not-just-for-my-pit-but-for-the-community
TheMiners'Strike-30YearsofHurt(WalesThisWeek)03-03-14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMbNcTimUtw
RoyalBalletSchoolwebsite.http://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/the-school/
UKminers'strike(1984–85).Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_miners%27_strike_(1984%E2%80%9385)
VisittheofficalBillyElliottheMusicalwebsiteforadditionalresourcesandlessonplans:
http://london.billyelliotthemusical.com/resources/