As previously rumored, Haydn Gwynne has landed the plum role of the teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, in Elton John’s forthcoming Billy Elliot — The Musical. Performances begin at the Victoria Palace March 24, 2005. Anne Rogers has signed to play Billy’s Grandma. Rogers, a musical theatre veteran, was the original Polly Browne in The Boyfriend, and later she played Eliza Doolittle in the West End, Hollywood and Chicago. Her most recent West End run was as Jessie Matthews in the short-lived Over My Shoulder at the Wyndham’s Theatre. Gwynne is best known for the TV series “Drop the Dead Donkey,” though her stage credits include Cy Coleman’s City of Angels.

As well as the already announced triple casting for Billy (James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower), the rest of the cast includes Joe Caffrey as Tony, Steve Elias as Mr. Braithwaite, Trevor Fox as George, Tim Healy as Dad and Stephanie Putson as Mum. Brooke Havana Bailey, Emma Hudson and Lucy Stephenson will share the role of Debbie, and Brad Kavanagh, Ashley Lloyd and Ryan Longbottom will split the role of Michael. The ensemble comprises Daniel Coll, Erica Ann Deakin, Alex Delamere, Damien Delaney, Susan Fay, Alan Forrester, Isaac James, Gillian Kirkpatrick, Chris Lennon, David Massey, Michelle McAvoy, Karl Morgan, Daniel Page, Steve Paget, Lee Proud, Mike Scott, Phil Snowden and Tessa Worsley.

The show is produced by Working Title (the company behind the films“Love, Actually” and “Bridget Jones’ Diary”) and Old Vic Productions. Director Stephen Daldry, who directed the film, stays on board for the stage version.

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