Photo Feature: Ruthie Henshall & Matteo Zecca join Billy Elliot

Eleven year old Matteo Zecca (Billy) and ten year old Kyria Cooper (Debbie) join Billy Elliot tonight (nine years to the day since the production opened) alongside Ruthie Henshall as Billy’s dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson.

Chris Grahamson is also joining the cast as Billy’s brother Tony and Barnaby Meredith returns to the production at the Victoria Palace Theatre as Older Billy. Take a look at pictures of Matteo Zecca and Ruthie Henshall in action below (click on image to enlarge).

Matteo Zecca from Buckinghamshire will make his West End debut in the title role, becoming the thirty seventh boy to play Billy Elliot in the West End. Kyria Cooper, ten years old from Hartlepool, joins the cast to alternate the role of Debbie, Billy’s dance teacher’s daughter. Later this month 11 year old Tomi Fry will join the cast to alternate the role of Billy’s best friend Michael.

Ruthie Henshall has performed in many iconic roles in musicals both in the West End and on Broadway including Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart in Chicago, Marion Halcome in The Woman in White, the title roles in Peggy Sue Got Married and Marguerite, Fantine in Les Misérables, Nancy in Oliver, Polly Baker in Crazy For You, Jemima in Cats and Ellen in Miss Saigon as well as Amalia in She Loves Me for which she won the Best Actress in a Musical Olivier award.

The full cast now includes: Ruthie Henshall (Mrs Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad), Chris Grahamson (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Howard Crossley (George) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy). They are joined by Claudia Bradley and David Muscat in their new roles as Dead Mum and Mr. Braithwaite respectively. Ensemble members are Craig Armstrong, David Bardsley, Paul Basleigh, Spencer Cartwright, Lucinda Collins, Gillian Elisa, Lee Hoy, Ruri James, Chris Jenkins, Charlie Martin, Alan Mehdizadeh, Steve Paget, Ben Redfern, Charlotte Riby, Mark John Richardson, Mike Scott, Phil Snowden, Wendy Somerville, Spencer Stafford and David Stoller.

Matteo Zecca said “I am eleven years old and live in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. I went to see Billy Elliot the Musical three years ago and I absolutely loved it. From that moment I wanted to be Billy even though I had never danced before! I started ballet at the age of nine and have loved it ever since. After my auditions when I found out I had got the part I was so happy and excited."

Photo Credit: Alastair Muir

Follow @West_End_Frame