The West End revival and U.K. national tour of “Billy Elliot the Musical” has revealed the four actors playing the title role: 12-year-old Noah Mannion from Stockport, 12-year-old Rafferty Smale from Leigh-on-Sea, 13-year-old Spencer Collins from California and 12-year-old William Gurney from Berkshire.
In addition, original “Billy Elliot” star Liam Mower will return to the show as “Older Billy.” Mower was one of three boys who originated the role when the musical first opened in 2005, and he won an Olivier Award for his performance.
The four boys — pictured above with Sir Elton John, who composed the show’s score and was on hand for the reveal in London Wednesday night — will switch off playing Billy as the show begins its U.K. national tour into a limited West End run. The new “Billy Elliot the Musical” will open at Sunderland Empire on Nov. 4 and run through Nov. 28 before stopping at Palace Theatre Manchester Dec. 2 – Jan. 9, 2027, and the Edinburgh Playhouse from Jan. 19 to Feb. 6. The show will then hit the West End’s Adelphi Theatre from Feb. 12 to July 31.
The West End revival is being directed by Stephen Daldry from the original book and lyrics by Lee Hall and music by John. The creative team includes choreographer Peter Darling, scenic designer Ian MacNeil, costume designer Nicky Gillibrand, lighting designer Rick Fisher, sound designer Paul Arditti and hair, wig and make-up designer Campbell Young. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch. The tour director is Simon Pollard and the associate choreographer is Jeroen Luiten. Adult casting is by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG, and children’s casting is by Nick Hockaday CDG for Jessica Ronane Casting.
“Billy Elliot the Musical” is presented by Universal Theatrical Group and Working Title Films and based on the Universal Pictures/Studio Canal film. The show is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene. David Furnish and Angela Morrison are executive producers.
