Billy Elliot takes the stage in Geelong

Multi-award-winning production Billy Elliot is headed to the Geelong stage for the first time.

Presented by Footlight Productions, the musical will enjoy a 13-show run at Geelong Arts Centre’s Playhouse Theatre between January 17 and February 2.

Set against the background of the 1984 miners’ strike in northeast England, Billy Elliot follows the story of a motherless boy who finds himself torn between his newfound love of ballet and the disintegration of his family.

The production stars 40 performers from Geelong and surrounds, with brothers Sebastian and Luka Sero sharing the title role.

For Sebastian, 12, the production marks his second tilt at the role, after he received a Victorian Music Theatre Guild Award nomination for his portrayal of the character in the Cheltenham Light Opera Company’s iteration of the show earlier this year.

“I’m so excited I’m returning to this, it’s such a dream role for me and, I think, it’s one of the hardest roles for a young boy to do,” he said.

He’s also thrilled to work with “visionary” director Alister Smith – who he worked with on the Gold Coast and Perth tour of Elvis: A Musical Revolution – again.

Both Sebastian and his 10-year-old brother Luka have been rehearsing for the production since September, which Sebastian said had given them “the right amount of time” to “flesh out” their character.

The production is based on the acclaimed film of the same name, with music by Elton John and lyrics by screenplay writer Lee Hall.

Mandy Calderwood, who plays Billy’s Grandma, said the production was a “heartfelt story” that blended together dark moments with lots of humour.

“It has so many layers and so many elements that it really does make for a very enjoyable theatrical experience.”

But, it is the cheeky side of her character that she enjoys playing the most.

“She has early dementia, so she’s quite forgetful, but she’s also really mischievous and quite sly,” she said.

“One of the things that harkens back to her experience of having lived through the 1926 general strike and then, of course, the depression, is that she hides food all the time.

“In the deep recesses of her mind, I guess she remembers what it was like to be hungry, and it is poignant, but the way it’s done, it makes it actually quite funny.

“I’m enjoying playing those moments.”

For more information, or to purchase tickets, head to geelongartscentre.org.au