A MUSICAL which can prompt tears of sadness and tears of joy is a rare find.

But the story of a young boy’s dream to become a ballet dancer in the bleak days of the mid 80s miners’ strike is it.

Billy Elliot the Musical has pirouetted into Southampton in a blaze of glory, having hung up its ballet shoes in the West End after eleven triumphant years.

The smash-hit show has received more than 80 awards internationally, including ten Tonys and five Oliviers, as well as standing ovations night after night, and it’s easy to see why.

This is my third time watching Billy Elliot since its opening in 2005 and, in my opinion, it has rarely been equalled and never bettered.

The story begins with young Billy grudgingly attending the boxing lessons his father has scraped together the money for. He's not made for a life in the ring, but when he stumbles upon a ballet class, he discovers a natural talent.

This brilliant, life-affirming tale, last night starring 11-year-old one to watch Emile Gooding in the lead role, switches effortlessly from laugh out loud humour to grit and grief.

There was complete awe-struck silence as the men return to work in the mines, lit simply by the light from their head torches and singing powerfully into the dark, but there were also tears of joy as we watched a musical masterpiece unfold.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Billy read aloud a letter from his late mother and there were audible gasps during the dream ballet sequence featuring a flying Billy and an older version of himself to the music of Swan Lake.

One stand out scene sees Billy and his cross-dressing best pal Michael perform a show-stopping tap dance joined by giant colourful frocks.

Oh and watch out for the larger than life Spitting Image style Margaret Thatcher puppet looming large over the stage during Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher, just one song from a tremendous score by Elton John.

So inventive is the choreography in this belter of a musical that a ballet class for tutu wearing young girls and a violent clash between picketing miners and riot police take place simultaneously and sit side by side on stage quite happily.

Completely thrilling and pretty much unbeatable, don’t hesitate to get Billy Elliot on your dance card.

The Musical runs until Saturday March 4.

Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk