Billy Elliot extends booking period
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
FROM April 23, 2007, half a million new tickets will go on sale for the multi award-winning Billy Elliot The Musical, thereby extending the booking period by 14 months – until December 20, 2008.
In just under two years, the musical has amassed a fascinating array of statistics. For example, over £55 million has been taken at the box office; over 1¼ million people have seen the show; 8,116 children have auditioned to play the parts of Billy, Debbie and Michael; and 8,260 jaffa cakes, 4,887 lollypops and 828 pasties have been consumed on stage.
Not only that, in its 828 performances at the Victoria Palace Theatre, 1,562 ballet shoes have graced the stage; 274 tutu’s have been made for the company; 107 ballet girls will have performed on stage; and nine young boys will have played the title role of Billy.
The production has also won 17 major theatre awards, including four 2006 Olivier Awards – Best Musical, Best Choreography (Peter Darling), Best Sound Design (Paul Arditti), and Best Actor(s) in a musical (James Lomas, George Maguire, and Liam Mower). At 13, Mower is the youngest actor ever to win the award. It was also the first time the award was shared.
As well as the London production, Billy Elliot The Musical is due to open in Sydney in December this year, followed by a Broadway production in 2008.
Previously Posted: From Monday, June 4, 2007, Jackie Clune will join the cast of Billy Elliot The Musical to play Billy’s Dance Teacher, Mrs Wilkinson.
Clune – actor, comedienne, composer and broadcaster – has previously appeared on stage in Mamma Mia! (international tour), Taboo (The Venue), The Vagina Monologues (New Ambassadors Theatre), Julie Burchill is Away (Soho Theatre), A Wedding Story (Birmingham Rep), Follow The Star and It’s Jackie! (Drill Hall) and Chicks with Flicks (King’s Head Theatre).
Her screen credits include Waking The Dead, EastEnders, Something for the Weekend and Rhona (TV); and Breathtaking (film).
The current Billy Elliots are Leon Cooke (aged 15 and from Clayton, Near Newcastle-under-Lyme), Dean McCarthy (aged 15 and from Clondalkin, Dublin), Layton Williams (aged 12 and from Manchester) and Travis Yates (aged 14 and from Alkrington, Near Middleton).
They perform alongside Sally Dexter (Mrs Wilkinson until June 2, 2007), Jackie Clune (Mrs Wilkinson from June 4, 2007), James Gaddas (Dad), Chris Lennon (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Trevor Fox (George), Alex Delamere (Mr Braithwaite), Sara Poyzer (Mum) and Isaac James (Older Billy).
Billy Elliot The Musical celebrates its second birthday at the Victoria Palace on May 11, 2007.
Previously Posted: On February 26, 2007, twelve year old Mancunian Layton Williams will make his West End stage debut in the title role of the multi award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical, alternating the role of Billy alongside Leon Cooke, Dean McCarthy and Travis Yates.
Williams lives in Bury with his mother Michelle, step-father Curtis, his two brothers, Joshua and Regan, and sister Renee. His hobbies are dancing, singing and all types of sport. But, as he himself says:
“I had never done any ballet or tap before my audition for Billy Elliot, so I was thrilled to get through the intensive training and attend the Academy in Leeds. I struggled at first but now I have found that tap and street dance are my favourite types of dance.
I had street dance and drama lessons at Carol Godby’s theatre workshop in Bury and I performed singing and dancing roles in a few shows. I also went to Center Pointe in Manchester to learn Ballet.
I love singing and dancing in front of an audience, so when I found out I had been given the part of Billy in the West End, I was ecstatic, my dreams have finally come true!”
Elton John and Lee Hall’s multi award-winning musical which is directed by Stephen Daldry, has been playing at the Victoria Palace Theatre since March 2005 where it continues to break box office records and has now taken over £50 million.
As part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, The Mousetrap Foundation – a theatre education charity that aims to increase access to the best of London’s theatre for young people with limited resources or support – will host a one-off schools’ matinee performance of Billy Elliot The Musical with free tickets for pupils aged 11-16 from London’s state secondary schools.
This special performance, which takes place on May 1, 2007 at 1.30pm, is offered by The Mousetrap Foundation with funding from The London Challenge, a DfES initiative. This unique event will give these young people an opportunity to attend a major West End theatre production free of charge.
Previously Posted: Billy Elliot has just extended its booking period until October 20, 2007, thereby adding a further seven months to its schedule.
Previously Posted: Sally Dexter has replaced Haydn Gwynne as Billy’s dance teacher, Mrs Wilkinson, in the hit musical Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
Dexter has been nominated twice for an Olivier Award – for her role as Anna in the National Theatre’s 1998 production of Patrick Marber’s Closer, and her role as Nancy in the London Palladium’s 1995 production of Oliver!.
Her other recent West End credits include Theatre of Blood again at the National Theatre (2005) and The Old Masters at the Comedy Theatre (2004).
Other cast changes include Sara Poyzer as Billy’s mum, 10-year-old Leyci Wightman as Mrs Wilkinson’s daughter Debbie, and 11-year-old Shaun Malone as Billy’s best friend Michael.
Due to the show’s demanding schedule, the young stars share their roles with several others.
In fact, the part of Billy is currently shared by five boys – Olivier Award-winner Liam Mower, Leon Cooke, Travis Yates, Colin Bates and Matthew Koon.
The current cast also includes Philip Whitchurch as Billy’s dad and Chris Lennon as his brother Tony.