ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: DANCER

(10 Feb 2000) English/Nat STORY: DANCER BTS LOCATION: LONDON DATE : OCT '99 A new British movie hopes to follow in the footsteps of successful feelgood flicks, 'The Full Monty' and 'East is East'. Currently in production, DANCER has all the right ingredients, following the North of England, hard up but humourous formula. The film tells the story of 11-year-old Billy, played by JAMIE BELL, struggling to carve a dancing career in a poverty stricken mining community. Billy's passion ignites when he stumbles across a local ballet class. He becomes so enamoured by the magic of the movements that he swiftly decides to ditch his boxing lessons to become the protege of a Mrs Wilkinson, played by JULIE WALTERS. Meanwhile, Billy's father (GARY LEWIS) and elder brother (JAMIE DRAVEN) fight the daily battle against the extreme poverty inflicted by the miners strike. Unsurprisingly, their pent up anger and frustration finally explode when they discover Billy has been squandering their hard earned cash on less than manly pursuits. Banned from ballet by his father, Billy is eventually persuaded to secretly return to the class by Mrs Wilkinson by a promise of an audition for the prestigious Royal Ballet School. Despite various setbacks caused by picket lines and family troubles, Billy finally wins over his family and gets to make it to the audition in London. Jamie Bell, who plays Billy, very clearly identifies with the hindrances his alter ego faces. Like his character, Jamie Bell is also a dancer, bullied for many years by his school friends and family for his passion for dance. He too has also recently won over his family, and now enjoys their support in his chosen career. His co-star, Julie Walters, is best known for her role as Rita in the film, Educating Rita, opposite Michael Caine, for which she won the coveted Best Actress Award at the 1984 BAFTAs. She was more recenly seen opposite BRENDA BLETHYN in GIRLS' NIGHT OUT. The film is directed by first time feature film director, STEPHEN DALDRY, and is a presentation by Working Title and BBC films. The film is due out .... For further information please contact Nevette Previd at Freud Communications on +44 (0) 171 291 6349. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...