London's Billy Elliot Extends Booking to December 2010; New Billy Joins

By Mark Shenton
November 20, 2009

The original London production of Billy Elliot, which received its world premiere at London's Victoria Palace Theatre in May 2005, has extended booking through Dec. 18, 2010. The show is also currently at Broadway's Imperial Theatre, and has also played in Australia in both Melbourne and Sydney.

The cast will also be joined by a new Billy Elliot from Nov. 30 (following previews from Nov. 23): 12-year-old Dean-Charles Chapman, who has previously appeared in the show as Small Boy in the original cast when he was just seven and last year returned to play Billy's best friend Michael, will now join Oliver Gardner (12 years old from Bath), Tom Holland (13 years old from Kingston-upon-Thames) and Fox Jackson-Keen (14 years old from Hornsey, London) to alternate in the title role.

In a press statement, Chapman has commented, "I am 12 years old and I live in Essex with my Mum and Dad and my two sisters. ...I have been training for Billy for two years now and I am really excited about my first performance! I am going to dedicate my first performance as Billy to all those who have helped me along the way and Collin's Performing Arts School where I studied Dance and Drama."

Also in the current cast are Joanna Riding (Mrs Wilkinson), Joe Caffrey (Dad), Craig Gallivan (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), David Nellist (George), Sean Kingsley (Mr Braithwaite), Samantha Seager (Dead Mum) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy). They are joined by Connor Kelly (11 years old from Scunthorpe), George Maycock (12 years old from Solihull) and Jake Pratt (13 years old originally from Scarborough, now living in Middlesex), who alternate 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 the role of Debbie.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0870 895 5577, or visit www.billyelliotthemusical.com