By Jenny Brown
In Sydney to launch his hit musical Billy Elliot, the superstar opens up to Woman’s Day.
How does the musical differ from the movie?
I thought the music in the film was great, but the scope for doing a musical was amazing, because there were so many people you could write songs for. We kind of pushed the political situation much more to the fore in a way; it’s about Billy obviously but also about the miners’ struggle. I found it very easy to write the songs, because there are so many great characters.
Is Billy the same in Sydney and London?
In Australia we’ve got four Billys instead of three, so everything has to be rehearsed four times over. They all dance and sing differently. I wouldn’t like to be a director, I can tell you that! The logistics are so hard, but it all came together for the opening night in London. We know what it’s all about now.
Australia is one of your favourite places, isn’t it?
I got married here (to German sound engineer Renate Blauel), and thank God I had a throat operation in Sydney back in the ’80s. The surgeon saved me; he did the most amazing job. So Sydney is full of memories for me. The old Sebel Town House, everybody used to stay there — sportsmen and actors and musicians — it was a meeting place for entertainers from all over the world. When I’m touring here I base myself in Sydney and fly off to all my concerts. I’ve had a love affair with Australia from the word go. That’s what’s so exciting about Billy opening here. We’ve never taken it out of Britain before and it’s a big step but I’m confident it will do really, really well. Australians have the same sense of humour; they like a good laugh.
Growing up, were you the odd one out like Billy?
No, because all my friends loved music as well. Every week we’d buy or borrow all the new rock and roll records. It was an incredible era. The Beatles had just started. I remember my friend Michael Johnson showing me his copy of their first single Love Me Do and telling me they were going to be the new huge group. I was a bit sceptical, but I listened to the record and he was absolutely right. It was a great time for music, an explosion of new music. We went to see it, bought it, played it, and I went to the Royal Academy of Music as well. It was just rampant! In the 50s and 60s there was an explosion of music that will never be paralleled.
What are your earliest musical memories?
I lived in a house with my Gran and Aunt Win and Mum and Dad and the radio was always on, and there was the piano. I can remember playing when I was two or three, sitting on my grandma’s knee. And Dad bought Frank Sinatra and George Shearing records when I was seven or eight. I’m grateful that he gave me a background that included all those great musicians. I grew up with them. Music was the centerpiece of my life and has remained so.
And your much-loved mum is still alive?
Mum and my stepfather were very supportive, and we have gone on this journey together. Mum is 82 now, very much alive and kicking, and my stepfather is 86. Mum doesn’t like getting old much but she still has as much energy as she ever did, and drives herself around. I get my energy from her. She’s always had such spirit. They’re a remarkably resilient couple for their age — but they don’t feel their age, not in their minds.
Read more of this interview in Woman’s Day (on-sale December 24, 2007)
