The West End’s Billy Elliot Celebrates Fifth Birthday and a New Billy

The West End production of Billy Elliot will celebrate its fifth birthday on March 31. Just prior to the celebration, the production will also welcome its 22nd title star, Rhys Yeomans, who begins performances on March 24.

To celebrate the landmark birthday, the March 31 performance will end with a special finale, featuring 19 former past, present and future Billy Elliots. Yeomans will be the 40th actor to star as Billy worldwide, following 21 Billys in the West End, 10 in Australia, nine on Broadway, four in Chicago and including Jamie Bell in the award-winning film. The 12-year-old Yeomans is from Oldham, Lancashire and began dancing at the age of nine.

Yeomans joins current stars Dean-Charles Chapman, Oliver Gardner and Tom Holland as Billy, Joanna Riding as Mrs. Wilkinson, Joe Caffrey as Dad, Craig Gallivan as Tony, Ann Emery as Grandma, David Nellist as George, Sean Kingsley as Mr. Braithwaite, Samantha Seager as Dead Mum and Barnaby Meredith as Older Billy. They are joined by Connor Doyle, Connor Kelly and Jake Pratt, who alternate the role of Michael and Emily Smith, Fleur Houdijk and Francesca Mango, who alternate the role of Debbie.