Details announced for Billy Elliot's final performance

Producers of Billy Elliot the Musical have announced that the show will play its final London performance in support of East Durham Trust, a charity based in Easington, Co. Durham, a former mining town and the setting for Billy Elliot’s iconic story. 

Tickets for the final performance will be released for sale today (Tuesday 1st March 2016, 2pm) via the Victoria Palace Theatre box office, with all proceeds from ticket sales for this performance being donated to East Durham Trust.

As Billy Elliot celebrates its eleventh birthday and after 4,600 performances, due to the theatre's previously announced refurbishment programme, the multi award-winning West End production will play its final performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 9th April 2016. 

Billys announced for Billy Elliot UK tour

Producers of Billy Elliot have announced the four boys who will share the title role in the musical's first ever UK and Ireland tour.

Starring as Billy in the new touring production will be Adam Abbou (12 years old from Liverpool), Matthew Lyons (11 years old from Leeds), Haydn May (11 years old from Bath) and Lewis Smallman (12 years old from West Bromwich). 

First casting revealed for Billy Elliot UK tour

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has revealed first casting for the UK tour of Billy Elliot The Musical.

The tour opens at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on 24th February 2016, click here for full dates.

Billy Elliot will star Annette McLaughlin (Lysistrata/Matilda) as Mrs Wilkinson, Martin Walsh (Perfect Pitch/Hobson’s Choice) as Dad and Scott Garnham (Grand Hotel/Made In Dagenham) as Tony.

Billy Elliot announces West End closure

It has been announced that the West End production of Billy Elliot The Musical will close next year on 9th April due to developmental work at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

The musical will close after 4,600 performances, coinciding with its eleventh birthday.

Billy Elliot has been seen to date by over 5.25 million people in London and nearly 11 million people worldwide, has grossed over $800 million worldwide and is the winner of over 80 theatre awards internationally. 

A UK tour will be launched in February 2016. In addition, the first Japanese language production will open at the Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo in 2017. Scroll down for gossip about a possible film version of the musical.

Matthew Seadon-Young taking over as Tony in Billy Elliot

It has been announced that Matthew Seadon-Young is taking over as Tony in the West End production of Billy Elliot The Musical tonight (16th November).

Also joining the cast at the Victoria Palace Theatre is Euan Garrett who makes his West End debut as the forty-second boy to play the title role. Euan is 12 years old from East Lothian in Scotland.

Now in its eleventh year in the West End, Billy Elliot is currently booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre until 17th December 2016. In addition, the first UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliot will begin in February 2016 at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. 

Full tour dates announced for Billy Elliot UK & Ireland tour

The complete list of dates for the first ever UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliot the Musical has been announced!

Billy Elliot the Musical will open at the Theatre Royal Plymouth where it will play from Wednesday 24 February to Saturday 2 April 2016 before visiting Sunderland Empire (6 – 30 April 2016), Bradford Alhambra (10 May – 11 June 2016), Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (14 June – 16 July 2016), Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (26 July – 3 September 2016), Edinburgh Playhouse (20 September – 22 October 2016), Bristol Hippodrome (25 October – 26 November 2016), Manchester Palace Theatre (29 November 2016 – 28 January 2017), Southampton Mayflower (7 February – 4 March 2017 ) and finishing at Birmingham Hippodrome (7 March – 6 May 2017). 

Billy Elliot welcomes new child stars

This week, Billy Elliot the Musical is welcoming Bradley Mayfield, Beatrice Bartley and Hollie Creighton to the show as Michael and Debbie respectively. 

 Bradley Mayfield, 11 years old from South Yorkshire, joins the cast to play Billy Elliot’s best friend Michael. Beatrice Bartley, 10 years old from Durham and Hollie Creighton, 10 years old from Sunderland, will play Mrs Wilkinson’s daughter Debbie alternating the role with current cast member Connie Fisher.

Now in its eleventh year in the West End, Billy Elliot the Musical is currently booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre until 17th December 2016. In addition, the first UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliot the Musical will begin in February 2016 at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. 

Billy Elliot welcomes forty-first Billy tonight

Nat Sweeney, 12 years old from Birmingham, will make his West End stage debut this evening (3rd July 2015) when he becomes the forty-first boy to play the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical (images below, click to enlarge).

Now in its eleventh year in the West End, the show recently extended booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre until 17th December 2016. In addition, the first UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliot the Musical begins in February 2016 with tickets now on sale for performances at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Nat Sweeney makes his West End debut in Billy Elliot the Musical. He previously performed in Mathew Bourne’s Lord of the Flies at the Birmingham Hippodrome. He trained at the Sparkles School of Dance and was a Junior Associate with Elmhurst School of Dance. Nat is a keen gymnast and has trained, competed and won various competitions with the Revolution Gym Club.

Billy Elliot confirms new West End cast

The West End production of Billy Elliot The Musical has confirmed its new West End cast. Ruthie Henshall and Deka Walmsley will continue to lead the show as Mrs Wilkinson and Dad respectively.

Also continuing in their roles are Chris Grahamson as Tony, Gillian Elisa as Grandma, Howard Crossley as George and Claudia Bradley as Dead Mum. 

Phil Snowdon is taking over as Mr Braithwaite whilst James Butcher is returning to the musical as Older Billy from tonight (18th May).

Billy Elliot celebrates 10 years with anniversary performance

Last night (12th May) the West End production of Billy Elliot The Musical celebrated its tenth anniversary at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Check out images from the gala performance below (click picture to enlarge).

To coincide with the 10th birthday celebrations, yesterday Billy Elliot's booking period was extended to 17th December 2016 and producers announced that a UK and Ireland tour will launch at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in February 2016. Further tour dates and booking details will be announced shortly.

Photo Feature: Ten years of Billy Elliot The Musical

Today (12th May) the West End production of Billy Elliot The Musical celebrates its tenth birthday! The musical opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 12th May 2005 and has now been seen by over 10 million people worldwide, including 5 million at its London home. Check special photos from the last ten years below (click image to enlarge). 

Earlier today producers extended Billy Elliot's West End booking period to 17th December 2016 and announced that the musical will launch its first UK and Ireland tour next year. The production will open at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in February 2016. Further tour dates and booking details will be announced shortly.

Thomas Hazelby & Nathan Jones join cast of Billy Elliot tonight

Today (11th March) Thomas Hazelby (10 years old from Doncaster) joins the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical to play the title role. He becomes the fortieth boy to play the role in London, where in May the musical celebrates its tenth anniversary. Also joining the cast today to play Billy’s best friend Michael is Nathan Jones (11 years old from Prudhoe, Northumberland).

Billy Elliot the Musical is the recipient of over 80 awards internationally, including five Oliviers and ten Tony Awards. Earlier this week it was announced that the show has been shortlisted for the 2015 This Morning Audience Award, the only Olivier award voted for by the theatregoing public. Billy Elliot the Musical previously won the Audience Award in 2013. 

Gillian Elisa takes over as Grandma in Billy Elliot

Gillian Elisa (pictured right) is taking over as Grandma in Billy Elliot the Musical with immediate effect.

The actress previously alternated the role, finishing fourth place in West End Frame's Understudy of the Year Award in 2014. 

Elisa takes over from Ann Emery who originated the character in 2005 and who recently retired from the role at the age of 84, having worked with all 39 London Billy Elliots. 

Elisa said: “I first joined the cast in 2011 and have loved every moment working on this special show. It’s a real privilege to take this iconic role on full time. I am so proud to be part of this amazing company.” 

Editor's Blog: Top 5 theatrical events of 2014

Every year we seem to be more and more spoilt for choice when it comes to theatrical events. This year has seen iconic shows close, productions broadcast around the world and performers returning to shows to recreate their celebrated performances. A certain theatre star also went mainstream and various concerts have left theatreland buzzing! Below are five theatrical events which particularly stood out for me this year...

5

We Will Rock You Closes

When We Will Rock You opened to negative reviews few predicted that it would go on to run in the West End for twelve years, rocking over 6.5 million people! Queen and Ben Elton's musical was so important as it attracted and created new theatregoers. Of course the final show was emotional and, although I wasn't in attendance, I have heard that it was an electrifying evening!

Editor's Blog: Christmas telly picks + odds & ends

Turkey? Check. Presents? Check. Stagey TV planned and set to record...?

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some stagey TV. Highlights on Christmas Day include Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms (BBC2 / 14.45) starring Ben Davis, Tony Yazbeck, Alexandra Silber and Louise Dearman, as well as The Sound of Music Live (Channel 5 / 12.35) which was originally broadcast live on US TV. It stars Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Christian Borle and Audra McDonald.

Louise Dearman in Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms

If you're looking for a classic musical movie there's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Channel 5 / 15.25) or documentary-wise there's Frozen at Christmas (Channel 4 / 20.00) and Tim Rice - A Life In Song (BBC2 / 22.30).

Photo Feature: Billy Elliot welcomes Brodie Donougher

Eleven year-old Brodie Donougher from Blackpool is joining the West End cast of Billy Elliot to share the title role from tonight. Brodie joins a cast lead by Ruthie Henshall as Mrs Wilkinson and Deka Walmsley as Billy’s dad. He is the thirty-ninth boy to play the role at the Victoria Palace Theatre and the seventy-sixth boy to perform the role worldwide.

Also joining the cast today will be 10 year old Connie Fisher from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, who will play Mrs Wilkinson’s daughter Debbie. In addition 19 girls from London and surrounding counties aged 9 – 14 join the cast as Ballet Girls. Check out pictures below!

Brodie Donougher said: “When I was seven, I was introduced to ballet through PrimarySTEPS, a Royal Ballet School programme that gives children the opportunity to try ballet, and later became part of The Royal Ballet School’s Junior Associate programme. I’m also a keen gymnast and have trained and competed with the Garstang School of Gymnastics. 

Photo Feature: Billy Elliot broadcast around the world; 25 Billys unite for spectacular finale

This weekend saw a record breaking twenty-five former and current Billy Elliots come together on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale of Billy Elliot the Musical. 

At a unique performance, broadcast live to eight countries from the show’s West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre, all three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower – took part in the spectacular finale. Two special screenings of Billy Elliot the Musical Live also took place at the historic Easington Social Welfare Centre, formerly the Easington Colliery Miners’ Institute, one of the settings for Billy’s inspiring story.

27 former & current Billy Elliots to unite on stage at live Broadcast performance

It has been announced that twenty-seven former and current Billy Elliots will unite on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale on Sunday 28th September when Billy Elliot the Musical is broadcast live from the Victoria Palace Theatre to cinemas across the UK and around the world. 

All three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - will take part in the spectacular finale. In addition, as previously announced, Liam Mower will play the role of Older Billy at this performance.

Billy Elliot releases new behind the scenes videos

Producers of Billy Elliot the Musical have released two brand new behind the scenes videos. The first takes a look at what it takes to play Billy, following the young actors as they train for the tremendous role. The second introduces us to Ollie Jochim, the West End's newest Billy. Watch both videos below!

Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against the odds to make his dream come true. Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.

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.