Photo Flash: First Look at Ruthie Henshall & More in BILLY ELLIOT!

Today, 12 May 2014, nine years to the day since Billy Elliot the Musical officially opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre, eleven year old Matteo Zecca (Billy) and ten year old Kyria Cooper (Debbie) will have their first performance alongside new cast members Ruthie Henshall as Billy's dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson, Chris Grahamson who plays Billy's brother Tony and Barnaby Meredith who returns to the production to play Older Billy.

Matteo Zecca from Buckinghamshire will make his West End debut in the title role, becoming the thirty seventh boy to play Billy Elliot in the West End. Kyria Cooper, ten years old from Hartlepool, joins the cast to alternate the role of Debbie, Billy's dance teacher's daughter. Later this month 11 year old Tomi Fry will join the cast to alternate the role of Billy's best friend Michael.

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. Follow Billy's journey as he stumbles 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.

The internationally celebrated show, which has now been seen by over 9.5 million people worldwide, is currently booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre to 16 May 2015 and features music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall. Stephen Daldry directs with choreography by Peter Darling.

Photo Credit: Alastair Muir/David Scheinmann