Also joining the cast are 10-year-old Demi Lee, as Billy's dance teacher’s daughter Debbie. They join a cast that currently also includes Anna-Jane Casey as Billy’s dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson, Deka Walmsley as Billy’s Dad and Kevin Wathen as Billy’s brother Tony, with Howard Crossley as George, Alexander Loxton as Older Billy, Kay Milbourne as Dead Mum, Simon Ray Harvey as Mr. Braithwaite and Ann Emery, who created the role of Grandma on stage when the show premiered in 2005.
Hanna, who hails from from Liverpool, lives with his mum, dad and sister Imogen. He started dancing at the age of four at the Nazene Danielle's Dance Dynamix in Liverpool. He started with break dancing and soon became interested in other styles of dance including ballet, tap and modern theatre. He has performed locally in The Wizard of Oz and Dick Whittington and sang in the touring Abba - the Show for two years running at Liverpool's Echo Arena. At eight years old he became the youngest winner of the Janet Cram Modern Theatre Award. After coming in third on Sky1's "Got to Dance," he and his dance partner Tayluer Amos, went on to perform at the Savoy Theatre as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebration.
Lee, who lives in Middlesbrough with her mum, dad and brother Lucas, started dancing at the age of eight at the Val Armstrong School of Performing Arts where she competed in local dance competitions and championships including the British Modern Championship final. She also enjoys sport, dancing and gymnastics having previously completed in the British gymnastic finals with her school.
As well as Elliott Hanna, Tade Biesinger (13 years old from Utah, USA), Harrison Dowzell (13 years old from Nottinghamshire), Redmand Rance (12 years old from Fareham, Hampshire) and Ali Rasul (12 years old from Hartlepool) will continue to alternate the role of Billy. Zach Atkinson (12 years old from Manchester), Joe Massey (14 years old from South Wirrell) and Thomas Moore (11 years old from Armthorpe, Doncaster) alternate the role of Billy’s best friend Michael. As well as Demi Lee, Dayna Dixon (11 years old from Newcastle upon Tyne) and Millie Thornton (11 years old from Sunderland) alternate as Debbie.
To book tickets, which are currently on sale through June 21, 2014, contact the box office on 0844 248 5000, or visit www.billyelliotthemusical.com.
