Broadway's Tade Biesinger Joins Billy Elliot in London's West End

Tade Biesinger, a 13-year-old American boy, will begin performances as the title character in the West End production of Billy Elliot on February 6. Biesinger previously played the role in the closing cast of the Broadway production, making him the second actor to play Billy in both the U.S. and U.K. productions. Billy Elliot continues to play the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Biesinger is the 32nd boy to play Billy in the West End production. He alternates the title role with Harris Beattie, Harrison Dowzell, Redmand Rance and Kaine Ward.

Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of one boy’s dream to realize his ambitions against the odds. Set in the North East of England against the background of the historic 1984-85 miners’ strike, Billy pursues his passion for dance in secret to avoid disapproval of his struggling family. The musical opened in the West End on March 31, 2005 and went on to win four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical.

The current West End cast also includes Gillian Bevan (Mrs. Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad), Killian Donnelly (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Jack Bromage-Eccles, Joe Massey and Thomas Moore (alternating the role of Michael), Dayna Dixon, Macy Stasiak and Millie Thornton (alternating the role of Debbie), Sean Kearns (George), Kay Milbourne (Dead Mum), Simon Ray Harvey (Mr. Braithwaite) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy). The ensemble members include Craig Armstrong, David Bardsley, Paul Basleigh, Dawn Buckland, James Butcher, Spencer Cartwright, Lucinda Collins, Matthew Dale, Gillian Elisa, Helen French, Sergio Giacomelli, Nic Greenshields, Ruri James, Ian Gareth Jones, Connor McAllister, David Muscat, Steve Paget, Steph Parry, Spencer Stafford and Mike Scott.