New Billy Joins Cast Of BILLY ELLIOT Tonight

Today, 6 February 2013, 13 year old Tade Biesinger from Bountiful, Utah, US will become the thirty second boy to play Billy Elliot in the West End. Having performed the title role on Broadway, Tade will become the second boy to have performed the role in the US and the UK when he makes his West End debut at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Based on the Oscar nominated film, Billy Elliot the Musical is an inspirational story of one boy's dream to realise his ambitions against the odds. Set in the North East of England against the background of the historic 1984/85 miners' strike, Billy pursues his passion for dance in secret to avoid disapproval of his struggling family.

Now in its eighth year Billy Elliot the Musical is currently booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre to 21 December 2013. Billy Elliot the Musical has now been seen by over 8 million people worldwide, and by almost 4 million in the West End.P

roductions of Billy Elliot the Musical have also been staged on Broadway, as well as in Sydney, Melbourne, Chicago, Toronto and Seoul, South Korea. The touring production, which began in 2010, continues to play across North America and further international productions are planned.

Billy Elliot the Musical features music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, is directed by Stephen Daldry with choreography by Peter Darling. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design is by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

Tade Biesinger says: "My name is Tade Biesinger and I am13 years old from Utah in the United States. I live with my Mom, Dad and three brothers - Briggs, Brooks and Cael, my sister, Liberty, and our family dog, Bear. I started dancing when I was seven. I trained at Dance Impressions in Bountiful, Utah and Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was asked to audition for Billy Elliot by the Children's Casting Director in America, after being seen at different dance competitions and after my auditions I was asked to play the part of "Billy" on Broadway in 2011 which was amazing! When I was asked to join the cast of Billy Elliot in London I was so excited - I can't wait to be playing Billy once again!"

Tade Biesinger joins Harris Beattie (14 years old from Aberdeen, Scotland), Harrison Dowzell (12 years old from Nottinghamshire), Redmand Rance (12 years old from Fareham, Hampshire) and Kaine Ward (14 years old from Hertfordshire) who alternate the role of Billy. Jack Bromage-Eccles (10 years old from Nuneaton), Joe Massey (13 years old from South Wirrell) and Thomas Moore (11 years old from Armthorpe, Doncaster) alternate the role of Billy's best friend Michael and Dayna Dixon (10 years old from Newcastle upon Tyne), Macy Stasiak (10 years old from Darlington) and Millie Thornton (10 years old from Sunderland) who alternate the role of Debbie.

They perform alongside Gillian Bevan (Mrs. Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad), Killian Donnelly (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Sean Kearns (George), Kay Milbourne (Dead Mum), Simon Ray Harvey (Mr. Braithwaite), Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy) and ensemble members Craig Armstrong, David Bardsley, Paul Basleigh, Dawn Buckland, James Butcher, Spencer Cartwright, Lucinda Collins, Matthew Dale, Gillian Elisa, Helen French, Sergio Giacomelli, Nic Greenshields, Ruri James, Ian Gareth Jones, Connor McAllister, David Muscat, Steve Paget, Steph Parry, Spencer Stafford and Mike Scott.

Billy Elliot the Musical is presented in London by Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Tiger Aspect and is based on the Universal Pictures/ Studio Canal film.