Billy Elliot - the sixteenth Billy takes to the stage
Story by Lizzie Guilfoyle
FROM today, Monday, June 23, 2008, thirteen year-old Fox Jackson-Keen will be sharing the title role in the multi award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical, which is currently booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre until April 11, 2009.
Not only will the 13 year-old be making his West End debut as Billy but he’s also the first Londoner to take on the role.
And he counts himself lucky “to have done some amazing things……I have represented London at Gymnastics, danced at the Sadler’s Wells, appeared on television in shows such as Hyper Drive and The Bill and have filmed in Cannes and Camberwell.”
As the sixteenth Billy, Fox follows in the footsteps of James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower who, in May 2005, created the role of 11 year-old Billy on stage. It was, of course, Jamie Bell who created the role on film.
Fox will now be joining current Billy Elliots Layton Williams, Hogan Fulton and Joshua Fedrick who perform alongside Jackie Clune (Mrs Wilkinson), Phil Whitchurch (Dad), Chris Lennon (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Trevor Fox (George), Alex Delamere (Mr Braithwaite), Sara Poyzer (Mum) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy).
Billy Elliot the Musical is set in the North East of England and is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy’s dreams. The score has been composed by Elton John, choreography is by Peter Darling, designs by Ian MacNeil, sound by Paul Arditti and lighting by Rick Fisher. Billy Elliot the Musical is produced in London by Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions plc.
On November 13, 2008, Billy Elliot the Musical opens on Broadway – at the Imperial Theatre. Meanwhile, the Australian production premiered at Sydney’s The Capitol Theatre last December and will end its year long run in November 2008 ahead of a transfer to Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre where it opens on January 15, 2009.