Press Releases

The cast of the hit show, which is the story of a young boy who wants to dance, and is set against the backdrop of north-east England during the 1984/85 Miners' Strike, visited Big Pit to get a better feel for the story of coal mining and to hear the world-famous ex-miners who take visitors underground recount their own strike experiences.

Nick Evans, Resident Director of Billy Elliot, described the visit:  "We wanted to bring the new cast and crew down to Big Pit to give them a better understanding of the industry and industrial unrest which gives the musical its unique flavour. 

"I visited Big Pit as a school boy from Swansea, and the memories of that experience have stuck with me ever since, and I felt strongly that the cast would appreciate that same experience as they prepare for their part in the show."

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales.  These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront museum, Swansea.

Entry to each museum is free thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.