Two new young dancers join the cast of Billy Elliot The Musical this autumn, alternating in the title role. Sam Angell and Joshua Fedrick, both 13, step into Billy’s ballet shoes as the musical approaches its 1000th performance at the Victoria Palace on 4 October.
Angell, from Glasgow, already has some stage experience, having played the lead in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Glasgow. Cornwall-based Fedrick is a regional gymnastics award winner and member of the Royal Ballet School.
The two new stars join current Billys Dean McCarthy, Layton Williams, Corey Snide and Oliver Taylor.
Billy Elliot The Musical is written by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, the team behind the BAFTA-winning film of the same name, and has a musical score by Elton John. Set in a northern mining community in the 1980s, it tells the moving story of young Billy, who is sent off to boxing lessons while his father and brother stand on the picket line. Soon Billy realises he prefers ballet to boxing and, with the help of dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson, he fights family tensions to fulfil his dream.
The cast also includes Jackie Clune as Mrs Wilkinson, James Gaddas as Dad, Chris Lennon as Tony and Ann Emery as Grandma.
Billy Elliot The Musical premiered at the Victoria Palace on 11 May 2005 and is now booking until 20 December 2008. To buy tickets em>CB