SIR Elton John has given his blessing to the new youth theatre production by a Buckinghamshire academy.

The founder of the Vocal Performance Academy in Gerrards Cross Catherine Françoise got the opportunity to meet musical legend Sir Elton at the fifth year anniversary celebration of Billy Elliot the Musical in London.

Catherine is directing a youth theatre production of Billy Elliot for the Buckinghamshire and Middlesex area and held auditions earlier in the year.

She said: “Sir Elton so charming and friendly, a delight to talk to. When he heard that I was directing a local youth theatre production of Billy Elliot for the Buckinghamshire and Middlesex area, he was very enthusiastic and encouraging.

“He went out of his way to enquire about our production, from the music to the staging and technical aspects of the show.

"He was especially interested in how the young people involved were finding the whole magical experience. It will delight my students, after this Easter break, to be able to give them a good luck message straight from Sir Elton himself”.

Due to the success of the musical in the West End organisers of the original show have licensed 115 drama groups nationwide to perform adapted productions of the musical.

Catherine added: “It is very unusual for West End productions to issue licensing permission to local drama groups when the show is still currently being performed in the West End and we were especially thrilled when Vocal Performance Academy were selected.”

Sir Elton wrote the score for the original musical Billy Elliot after seeing the film starring Julie Walters.

Enthusiastic performers, boys and girls, between the age of 10 and 19 can still audition to be part of the show at the Watersmeet from July 21 to 24 at 7.30pm. Go to www.VocalPerformanceAcademy.co.uk for more details.