BILLY Elliot star Annette McLaughlin is happy to admit that she is part of something very special, writes JOHN ANSON.

The eagerly anticipated musical opened this week at Manchester, spending nine weeks at the Palace Theatre as part of its first tour of the UK.

West End star Annette, who plays dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson, said: “It has to be one of the best British musicals. Those who love the film won’t be disappointed by the stage show.”

Set against the background of the miners’ strike in the mid eighties, Billy Elliot: The Musical is the story of a young boy who discovers a passion for dance.

“It’s essentially the same story as the film but done in a more theatrical way,” said Annette. “It’s not like we’re trying to put the film on the stage though. It has been rethought for the theatre.

“The stage show is a little bit more political and it keeps its rawness and you also get these brilliant theatrical moments you can’t get on film.”

With music by Elton John and the same creative team responsible for the movie released in 2000, Billy Elliot: The Musical has won awards on both sides of the Atlantic.

“The writing and direction are both genius,” said Annette. “It could stand up as a play without the music. I saw it long time ago in the West End and thought ‘I want to be part of it that’. It is such a well crafted piece.

“It’s quite rare in musical theatre to get such a great script. All those scenes are so well written and it’s so easy to play Mrs Wilkinson. She’s brilliantly written.”

The real stars of the show, says Annette, are the young dancers who share the lead role of Billy. Due to their age (11-13) four boys take it in turns to play the part.

“They are our leading men and they are extraordinary, every one of them,” said Annette.

“I don’t have to stretch very far to find the emotions of being a surrogate mum for them because I have become like a proud mum for them anyway.

“I am very fond of all of them. We started work in November so I’ve known them for a year now. They are such professional, lovely kids.They have such great energy they give us all a lift when we are on the road.

“They were in training for months before we started and they just get better and better. I’ve seen them every night and they are always working on stuff.

“It’s always lovely when you watch bits and it makes you go ‘wow’ - whether it’s something they have done with their acting that makes you burst into tears or suddenly you realise they have a real command of comic timing or do a bit of a dance they’ve never done so well before.”

Annette is no stranger to working with young stars, she has also been in Matilda in the West End.

“They say you should never work with children or animals,” she said. “But but I don’t agree with that. Maybe it’s because we’re working with extraordinary kids.”

Annette admits that her own experiences have helped her develop the character of Mrs Wilkinson.

“I feel like I have been researching this part since I was a kid,” said Annette.

“I always wanted to be a ballerina when I was younger and went to the Royal Ballet School as a junior. I used to go twice a week but I got thrown out because I was growing too tall.

“I then went to the Central School of Ballet and the same thing happened.

“That was a huge disappointment when I was 11. I remember being so upset. I feel that Mrs Wilkinson is full of regrets and disappointments so it’s quite easy to tap into that.

“She’s a brilliantly flawed character with a good heart and she sees this passion in Billy and it ignites something in her. She becomes this surrogate mother to him.

“I’ve had had some formidable teachers in my life there’s a bit of all of them in my Mrs Wilkinson.

“But she’s also a celebration of all those great teachers people have had who have inspired them.”

Billy Elliot will be in Manchester until the end of January.

“I think it will be great to be in Manchester for so long,” said Annette. “It allows us to settle down in a lovely city and we get the chance to spend Christmas there too.”

n Billy Elliot: The Musical, Palace Theatre, Manchester, Tuesday, November 29 to Saturday, January 28. Details from 0844-871-3019