The “Billy Elliot” of the Tyne
Posted on April 11, 2009 - Filed Under Arts & Culture, Travel
The movie “Billy Elliot” tells the tale of a young boy, living in a coal mining town, attempting to follow his dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. Much to the chagrin of Billy’s coal mining father, who is anything but encouraging. Billy continues to pursue his dream even though most of the town ridicules his talents and desires. In Newcastle, England, a village on the Northern Coast of the UK, just between Scotland and Yorkshire, a young may from the Tyne is being compared to the much loved character of Billy Elliot.
Newcastle is a growing community, being visited by tourists more and more each year. Revitalization and urban renewal has created many new shopping centers, an elegant Newcastle hotel, and trendy restaurants and coffee shops. The building of the city is ever-changing and always progressing. In the movie, the main character comes from a family of coal miners, and dreams of being a male ballet dancer, a somewhat unlikely circumstance. And just as in the movie, Gary Walsh’s family is a family of builders, construction workers. All three of Gary’s brothers will continue on in the family trade, as engineers and builders, but not Gary, for Gary dreams of becoming…a male ballet dancer. Although this real life story differs in that although Gary has been picked on in the past by schoolmates and friends, his family, including his father are not only supportive, but incredibly proud. Gary was discovered by the manager of a traveling show while, at the age of six, he was twirling around in a parking lot. One of the members of the touring company paid for Gary to enter ballet school in Newcastle. And now, at the age of 17, ballet is his passion, his only passion.
His talent was not so much taught, as just simply in his blood. His father beams as he explains that watching him on stage would bring tears to his eyes. A naturally gifted boy with unusual talents and serious drive. He will be performing soon in Sheffield in a production of ‘High School Musical’. Break a leg Gary.
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