The Coal Not Dole stickers pressed firmly onto clothing as we enter the theatre are a reminder that the Miners’ Strike of 1984 casts a long shadow over this story of Billy Elliot.

It was retold by the Ilkley Upstagers in Billy Elliot the Musical at Bradford’s Alhambra.

The youngster’s passion for dancing transports him from the tough but close-knit community of a pit village to the rarefied atmosphere of the Royal Ballet School in London.

A single word, passion, sums up this touching musical composed by Elton John to the book and lyrics of Lee Hall. Every single character is consumed by passion; most conspicuous however is the passion that cascades in bucketfuls from this multi-talented young cast.

Under Gill Jackson’s inspirational direction they have channelled their energies into a vibrant production befitting the professional stage. The singing of principals and chorus under musical director Phil Walsh bursts with the exuberance of youth and comes straight from the heart.

Paul Nowland’s choreography is immensely physical and streetwise; the stagecraft is slick and polished. Diminutive 11-year-old Lewis Michael Day brings a winning presence and total self-assurance to the role of Billy although even he is outshone at times by his best friend Michael played by Ed Paget, a 13-year-old who is gifted with intuitive comic timing. Seventeen-year-old Alice Goddard skilfully creates the strident, no-nonsense dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson in an athletic, attention-grabbing performance of tremendous character and vocal strength.

A towering performance is delivered by George Mulyran as Billy’s Dad and his attractive baritone voice is used to maximum effect in his big, act two number. Grant McIntyre oozes conviction and passion as older brother Tony while 18-year-old Laura Mills-Whittaker ages up well as the doting Grandma. The Miner’s Christmas show is energetically choreographed and laced with irony and rubber masks of Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady.

Two of the shows most poignant moments occur when Billy’s letter from his Dead Mam– movingly played by Chloe Proctor – is read out and, later, when the young Billy is guided by an older Billy in a misty, beautifully staged scene from Swan Lake.

Quite simply, the entire company of 60 performers has taken the Alhambra by storm.