Billy Elliot Will Dance Out of London: Long-Running Musical Sets West End Closing Date

After 4,600 performances, this feels like a somewhat seismic shift in London's Theatreland—Billy Elliot is departing the West End. The musical will play its final performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre on April 9, 2016 as the production celebrates its eleventh birthday; it has been seen to date by over 5.25 million people in London and nearly 11 million people worldwide. We did already know that mega-producer Cameron Mackintosh plans to refurbish the venue next fall, however it had previously been unclear whether Billy would transfer to a new home in the U.K.'s capital or not.

Directed by Stephen Daldry and featuring music by Elton John and a book and lyrics by Lee Hall, Billy Elliot is based on the Oscar nominated film and is an inspiring story of one boy’s dream to know his ambitions against the odds. Set in the North East of England alongside the backdrop of the historic 1984-85 miners’ strike, Billy follows his passion for dance in secret to evade disapproval from his struggling family.

Ruthie Henshall and Deka Walmsley currently lead the adult cast in the West End as Mrs. Wilkinson and Dad, respectively. They are joined by Matthew Seadon-Young as Tony, Gillian Elisa as Grandma, Howard Crossley as George, Claudia Bradley as Dead Mum, Phil Snowden as Mr Braithwaite and James Butcher as Older Billy. Ensemble members are Craig Armstrong, Richard Ashton, James Ballanger, David Bardsley, Paul Basleigh, Rachel Bingham, Lucinda Collins, Peter Cork, Scott Cripps, Robbie Durham, Ross Finnie, Lee Hoy, Ruri James, Ben Redfern, Charlotte Riby, Mike Scott, Sharon Sexton, Wendy Somerville, Spencer Stafford, David Stoller and Kerry Washington.

Brodie Donougher, Euan Garrett, Thomas Hazelby and Nat Sweeney alternate the title role of Billy Elliot. Ben Robinson, Nathan Jones and Bradley Mayfield play the role of Billy’s best friend Michael. Beatrice Bartley, Hollie Jayne Creighton and Connie Fisher alternate the role of Debbie.

Billy Elliot officially opened on Broadway on November 13, 2008 at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1312 performances. It won ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical.