A DANCE group from Worcester is heading to London’s West End to perform in an adapted version of the hit musical Billy Elliot.

The Jago Performers Theatre School was one of 50 successful applicants given permission by the Billy Youth Theatre to produce an amateur version of the show.

The group performed the musical at Malvern Theatres in April. But after sending video footage to London, the Worcester dancers will now feature in a West End celebration show on Sunday, July 17.

The gala at the Victoria Palace Theatre will be a celebration of youth theatre across the country where schools and youth groups will present their own work on a West End stage.

Simon Hundley, aged 22, set up the Jago Performers group in 2008.

It has about 50 young dancers who rehearse at St Mary’s Hall in Northfield Road, Arboretum, Worcester.

Some of the dancers are also members of the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society’s Youth Section (WODYS).

Mr Hundley said that they were the biggest group to be selected.

He said: “We sent a DVD to the Billy Elliot Youth Theatre and out of the 50 schools which were given permission to perform the show, we are one of 12 which will be performing at the show in London.

“It is a fantastic opportunity. I think we might have been chosen because we have quite a diverse range of people in the group.

“We have a lot of boys in the group as well, which I think is as a result of me being a male dance teacher.”

The lead role is being played by 12-year-old Tobias Dadge and the scene the Jago school will perform is where Billy gets his friend Michael to put on a tutu and dance.

Lee Hall, who created the Billy Youth Theatre, said: “I am very much looking forward to our second West End gala in July and pass on my congratulations to everyone who has taken part in this year’s Billy Youth Theatre.”

Tickets for the event cost £20 and can be ordered from the box office by calling 0844 248 5000.

For more information visit the website victoriapalace theatre.co.uk