Nine-year-old Dayna Dixon and 13-year-old Harris Beattie are to join the cast of hit West End show Billy Elliot – The Musical as it fast approaches its seventh birthday.
Beattie will be the 29th young star to take on the iconic role of the young Billy, and incredibly the 64th to play the role worldwide. Originally from Aberdeen, where he lives with his family and “two beautiful, but dopey labradoodles”, he’s dedicating his first performance to his Aunt Debbie and Uncle Keith, saying “they have done so much for me, I can’t thank them enough.”
Dixon, who started dancing at just 18 months old, will take to the Victoria Palace stage as Debbie, the daughter of dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson. A self confessed music lover she’s performed in a host of shows – as well as in her school rock band – but it was seeing Billy Youth Theatre that made her determined to audition for the show. Following three months dance training, she can’t wait for her Billy Elliot debut, saying “I am so excited to be playing the part of Debbie in Billy Elliot and I would like to thank all of my teachers who have helped and inspired me on my journey.”