Since its world premiere, 21 boys have played the title role in London, 10 have played Billy in Australia and 9 boys have played the title role on Broadway. A total of 36 boys, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film, have now performed the title role, some having played in two territories. The Chicago production, beginning performances March 18 at the Oriental Theatre, will see four Billys sharing the role, including one who previously performed on Broadway. The London production will also be newly joined by 12-year-old Rhys Yeomans from Oldham, Lancashire, who begins performances March 24. He will become the 22nd actor to play the role in London. In a press statement, he has said, "I live with my Mum Joanne, my Dad Mark, my two cats Jerry and Junior and my little rabbit called Snowy. I started to dance at the age of 9 at Centrepointe Dance School in Denton, Manchester. I have enjoyed every moment of my Billy Elliot training in London and I am really excited about my first performance on stage in front of a live audience! I would like to give a big thank you to my Mum and family for supporting me and Caroline Wright, my dance teacher from Centrepointe, for being such a brilliant teacher."
Beginning March 27, the London cast comprises Yeomans, Dean-Charles Chapman (12 years old from Essex), Oliver Gardner (12 years old from Bath) and Tom Holland (13 years old from Kingston-upon-Thames) who alternate in the title role alongside principal cast members Joanna Riding (Mrs. Wilkinson), Joe Caffrey (Dad), Craig Gallivan (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), David Nellist (George), Sean Kingsley (Mr. Braithwaite), Samantha Seager (Mum) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy). They are joined by Connor Doyle (13 years old from Walsall), Connor Kelly (11 years old from Scunthorpe) and Jake Pratt (13 years old originally from Scarborough, now living in Middlesex) and from April 26, Joe Massey (10 years old from South Wirral), who will alternate in the role of Billy’s best friend Michael, and Emily Smith (10 years old from County Durham), Fleur Houdijk (12 years old from Hartlepool) and Francesca Mango (10 years old from Northumberland) who alternate in the role of Debbie.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 0870 895 5577, or visit www.billyelliotthemusical.com.
