Producers confirm Liam Mower's Billy Elliot return

Producers of Billy Elliot the Musical have confirmed that Liam Mower - the first young actor to star as Billy - will return to the show for one night only to portray Older Billy.

James Lomas, George Maguire, Sir Elton John & Liam Mower at the opening night party in 2005

Mower will return to the Victoria Palace Theatre for Billy Elliot's live cinema broadcast on Sunday 28th September 2014. The performance will be shown in cinemas across the UK and around the world. Mower originated the role of Billy Elliot in 2005 alongside George Maguire and James Lomas. He was the first boy ever to play the role on stage.

Stephen Daldry (Director) said: "All of us at Billy Elliot are really looking forward to what we hope will be a very special performance when we broadcast our show live around the world. We are planning some surprises on the night and we are delighted to announce today that Liam Mower is returning to the production for this fantastic event to play Older Billy. 

Liam Mower as Billy Elliot in 2005

"The show’s journey has been a remarkable one and the live broadcast in September will mark yet another chapter in the extraordinary life of Billy Elliot, the young boy with an inspirational story from the mining village of Easington.”

Liam Mower said: "I still vividly remember the first time I stepped out on to the stage at the Victoria Palace Theatre almost ten years ago - it was terrifying and thrilling all at the same time. I was 12 years old and that was my very first time performing in front of an audience. 

"Along with George and James we had been rehearsing the show for many months and to bring the story of Billy Elliot to life on stage was really exciting. I was unbelievably honoured to be asked by Stephen Daldry to come back and rejoin the cast as Older Billy for this special performance, and, to step in to Billy Elliot’s ballet shoes for one more time will be a real privilege.”

Last night it was reported that George Maguire and James Lomas will also make a special appearance during the finale. It is claimed Daldry wants the performance to be a "real showbizzy event" with Elton John either introducing the show or making an appearance during the finale.

Liam Mower began dancing at the age of nine, attending the Northern Academy of Performing Arts. Two years later he became a pupil at White Lodge, the full time boarding school of The Royal Ballet. In 2004, Liam beat over 3,000 hopefuls to be cast in the role of Billy Elliot, a role he played from March 2005 for almost a year and a half. 

In 2006, Liam became the youngest person ever to win the Olivier Award for Best Actor when he received the accolade along with James Lomas and George Maguire. Shortly after leaving the West End, he was cast as Mikey Adams in Wire in the Blood for ITV. 

 Liam Mower as Billy Elliot in 2005

He completed his training at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance with a first class BA (Hons) degree, and during this time toured with Rambert Dance Company, performing Itzik Galili’s A Linha Curva. For New Adventures, Liam has performed in Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker!, Tony in Play Without Words and made his principal debut as Count Lilac in Sleeping Beauty, also playing the role of Tantrum Fairy, with seasons in the UK, Italy, Russia and the USA. 

Most recently, Liam played the role of The Prince in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, the very ballet that forms the final scene in the film Billy Elliot.

Photo Credit 2&3: David Scheinmann 

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