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Denzel Washington scores a big opening for The Equalizer - but Billy Elliot has gone one better...

The growing phenomena of event cinema took another step forward over the weekend, as a special performance of Billy Elliot The Musical was broadcast live to cinemas (both in the UK and abroad) from the stage of the Palace Theatre in London.

Reuniting the three people who originated the role of Billy Elliot on the stage - Liam Mower, James Lomas and George Maguire - amongst a cast of past Billys, what's of particular note is just how much business the performance did in cinemas. For early figures suggest that Billy Elliot The Musical Live topped the UK box office over the weekend, with a take of £1.9m. Second placed The Equalizer grossed £1.89m.

Billy Elliot has thus enjoyed the biggest opening for any event cinema presentation thus far (beating even Doctor Who...

This weekend saw a record breaking twenty-five former and current Billy Elliots come together on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale of Billy Elliot the Musical. At a unique performance, broadcast live to eight countries from the show's West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre, all three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - took part in the spectacular finale. Two special screenings of Billy Elliot the Musical Live also took place at the historic Easington Social Welfare Centre, formerly the Easington Colliery Miners' Institute, one of the settings for Billy's inspiring story. Check out highlights from the special event below...

This weekend saw a record breaking twenty-five former and current Billy Elliots come together on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale of Billy Elliot the Musical. This unique performance was broadcast live to eight countries from the show's West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre. All three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - took part in a spectacular finale as the broadcast, the widest ever cinema release of a live event, hit number one at the UK box office.

Billy Elliot the Musical has been scheduled for further encore screenings, following the success of this weekend's mash-up performance.

The special performance saw all three original Billy Elliot actors - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - taking part in a finale dance. The performance, which took place at the musical's West End home of the Victoria Palace Theatre, was broadcast live to eight countries.

Two screenings also took place at the Easington Social Welfare Centre (formerly the Easington Colliery Miners Institute), which was one of the settings for the story.

Billy Elliot: The Musical will now be screened to a further nine countries across four continents, with encore screenings taking place in 350 cinemas across the UK on October 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The musical will be available on DVD and blu-ray on November 24.

The performance featured stars including Ruthie Henshall, Deka Walmsley, Chris Grahamson and Ann Emery. It also starred a...

This weekend saw a record breaking twenty-five former and current Billy Elliots come together on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale of Billy Elliot the Musical. At a unique performance, broadcast live to eight countries from the show's West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre, all three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - took part in the spectacular finale. Two special screenings of Billy Elliot the Musical Live also took place at the historic Easington Social Welfare Centre, formerly the Easington Colliery Miners' Institute, one of the settings for Billy's inspiring story.

Twenty-seven former and current Billy Elliots will unite on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale onSunday 28 September when Billy Elliot the Musical is broadcast live from the Victoria Palace Theatre to cinemas across the UK and around the world. All three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - will take part in the spectacular finale. In addition, as previously announced, Liam Mower will play the role of Older Billy at this performance.

A total of 27 former and current Billy Elliots will unite on stage for a special performance of Billy Elliot the Musical later this month.

The specially choreographed finale will be included in the show on Sunday, September 28, when the musical is broadcast live to cinemas in the UK and around the world.

All three original Billy Elliot actors, James Lomas, 24, George Maguire, 23, and Liam Mower, 22, will return to the production for one night only.

Director Stephen Daldry said: "We are thrilled to welcome so many of our former Billys back to the Victoria Palace Theatre for this very special performance.

"We've been delighted to see them flourish as performers since their time in the show and it will be wonderful to bring them together again for this unique event."

The musical adaptation of the 2000 film has won 80 theatre awards since debuting at London's Victoria Palace Theatre in 2005.

Productions of Billy Elliot...

On Sunday 28 September, Liam Mower will join the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical for a special performance to be broadcast live from the Victoria Palace Theatre to cinemas across the UK and around the world. Mower, who will play the role of Older Billy, originated the role of Billy Elliot in 2005 along with George Maguire and James Lomas, and was the first boy ever to play the role on stage.