Elton and the frilly Billies

The critics have already lavished praise on the stage version of Billy Elliot - and now an audience of stars has visited the Victoria Palace Theatre to pass judgment.

Sir Elton John, who wrote the music, was joined by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and wife Pauline, Hugh Grant and Jemima Khan, Liz Hurley - who blew a kiss to her ex - Chris Evans, Bob Geldof, Natasha Kaplinsky, Neil Tennant, Donna Air and Damian Aspinall, Patrick Cox, Kirsty Young, Ian Rankin, Gordon Ramsay, and the original Billy Elliot, Jamie Bell.

There was barely a dry eye in the house, with the audience entranced by the tale of loss, hope and raucous, sometimes filthy humour.

At the curtain call the three boys who play Billy - George Maguire, 13, who performed last night, Liam Mower and James Lomas - danced with the rest of the cast in a one-off celebration. Sir Elton joined them on stage as they were given a standing ovation.

Afterwards the audience was hugely enthusiastic. Four Weddings And A Funeral writer Richard Curtis said: "It was completely wonderful, gorgeous, exhilarating and complicated."

Jamie Bell, who should know the story by now, admitted: "I didn't stop crying all night."

Jay Jopling, who was with his wife artist Sam Taylor-Wood, said: "It was amazing. Did I cry? Of course I cried." BBC arts supremo Alan Yentob admitted he also shed at least one surreptitious tear. He added: "I know most of the words from the movie. I loved it."

Lee Ryan from Blue was particularly impressed with George Maguire.

"What a spectacular show. There's never been anything like this in the West End. I used to do ballet a lot when I was younger - and I used to get the same stick as Billy. Tonight George's mother told me he has only been dancing for three months - it is amazing he has got up to that standard so quickly. I thought he was astonishingly good."

George said: "It felt absolutely amazing - I was buzzing. It was the best show I've ever done." Liam, 12, added: "Having all three of us dancing was really good - I want to do that every night." Perhaps James, 13, summed it up best of all: "It was well cool."