Billy Elliot The Musical, the hugely successful West End musical that took home this year’s BBC Radio 2 Audience Award at the Olivier Awards with MasterCard, will head across the country next year in search of new young stars.
The production will hold auditions in Leeds, Newcastle, London, Bristol and Manchester from January to find budding performers to join the acclaimed show at the Victoria Palace theatre in some of its many children’s roles.
Since opening to rave reviews in 2005, 36 boys have now performed as the title character in Lee Hall’s musical adaptation of his hit film of the same name. Directed by Stephen Daldry with music by Elton John, the production tells the story of a boy whose dream to attend the Royal Ballet School is at complete odds with the rest of his community who prefer boxing to ballet. 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.
The auditions will invite both boys and girls to try out for a role in the hit show, with auditions taking place on 11 January in Leeds, 1 February in Newcastle, 15 March in London, 26 April in Bristol and 17 May in Manchester.
Boys trying out for the lead roles of Billy or Michael should be between the ages of nine and 13-years-old, a maximum of five feet tall with no broken voices. Tap and ballet experience is a bonus but not essential. Girls looking to play Debbie must be aged nine to 12-years-old, a maximum of 4 feet 8 inches and have some ballet experience. Girls will only be seen in Newcastle as they must be from the north east.
For further details or to arrange an audition, email Children’s Casting Director Jessica Ronane at billy@jessicaronane.com including the city and date of your chosen audition in the subject line. You can also find extensive information, including details of the ensemble roles, by visiting www.billyelliotthemusical.com/auditions