UK News: Re-scheduled Previews and Casting for Billy Elliot

Billy Elliot The Musical is to re-schedule its first three preview performances. Performances will now begin on Thursday 31 March . The previews have been re-scheduled in order to give the 45 children who are performing in the production a less arduous rehearsal period leading up to their West End debut.

Stephen Daldry, Director of Billy Elliot The Musical, said:  "This is one of the most ambitious projects I have been involved with. The decision has been made to push back our preview performances in order to give our Company, with a cast including 45 children, a little extra time so they are as fully prepared as possible. The young Billy Elliots in particular -James Lomas (15), George Maguire (14) and Liam Mower (12) - making their professional stage debuts in the West End will benefit from a little extra time to familiarise themselves with all aspects of the production."

The re- scheduled preview performances are announced as Thursday 14^th, Wednesday 20^th and Wednesday 27^th of April.

The press night, as previously announced, is on Wednesday 11 May and Opening Night on Thursday 12 May.

This new staging of Billy Elliot is an adaptation of one of the most adored British films of the last decade. The extraordinary movie written by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry has been developed for the stage by the same multi-award winning creative team. The score has been composed by music legend Elton John, the most celebrated UK singer songwriter of the last 30 years.

Set in the North East, Billy Elliot is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy's dreams.  This original story captured the hearts and minds of the world when the movie was released in September 2000.  Nominated for 3 Oscar's and 13 Bafta awards this poignant film broke box office records across the world.

The full cast is:  Joe Caffrey (Tony), Steve Elias (Mr Braithwaite), Anne Emery (Grandma) Trevor Fox (George), Haydn Gwynne (Mrs Wilkinson), Tim Healy (Dad), Stephanie Putson (Mum) and Billy will be performed by James Lomas from Sheffield, George Maguire from Essex and Liam Mower from Hull, who will alternate playing the title role during the run. Joining them will be Tyneside born Brooke Havana Bailey, Emma Hudson and Lucy Stephenson, playing Debbie - Mrs Wilkinson's daughter, and Brad Kavanagh from Cumbria, Ashley Lloyd from Blackpool and Ryan Longbottom from Dewsbury, playing Michael - Billy's best friend.  The Company also includes Daniel Coll, Erica Ann Deakin, Alex Delamere, Damien Delaney, Susan Fay, Alan Forrester, Isaac James, Gillian Kirkpatrick, Chris Lennon, David Massey, Michelle McAvoy, Karl Morgan, Daniel Page, Steve Paget, Lee Proud, Mike Scott, Phil Snowden and Tessa Worsley.

Billy Elliot The Musical is produced by Working Title and Old Vic Productions plc.