YAAAY! Billy Elliot News!

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 3:01pm

Full casting has been announced for the eagerly awaited London stage debut of Billy Elliot — The Musical.

As previously rumored, Haydn Gwynne has landed the plum role of the teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, in Elton John’s forthcoming Billy Elliot — The Musical. Performances begin at the Victoria Palace March 24, 2005.

Anne Rogers has signed to play Billy’s Grandma. Rogers, a musical theatre veteran, was the original Polly Browne in The Boyfriend, and later she played Eliza Doolittle in the West End, Hollywood and Chicago. Her most recent West End run was as Jessie Matthews in the short-lived Over My Shoulder at the Wyndham’s Theatre. Gwynne is best known for the TV series “Drop the Dead Donkey,” though her stage credits include Cy Coleman’s City of Angels.

As well as the already announced triple casting for Billy (James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower), the rest of the cast includes Joe Caffrey as Tony, Steve Elias as Mr. Braithwaite, Trevor Fox as George, Tim Healy as Dad and Stephanie Putson as Mum. Brooke Havana Bailey, Emma Hudson and Lucy Stephenson will share the role of Debbie, and Brad Kavanagh, Ashley Lloyd and Ryan Longbottom will split the role of Michael. The ensemble comprises Daniel Coll, Erica Ann Deakin, Alex Delamere, Damien Delaney, Susan Fay, Alan Forrester, Isaac James, Gillian Kirkpatrick, Chris Lennon, David Massey, Michelle McAvoy, Karl Morgan, Daniel Page, Steve Paget, Lee Proud, Mike Scott, Phil Snowden and Tessa Worsley.

The show is produced by Working Title (the company behind the films“Love, Actually” and “Bridget Jones’ Diary”) and Old Vic Productions. Director Stephen Daldry, who directed the film, stays on board for the stage version.

For more information, call (0)870 895 5577.


~i'm excited!~

Updated On: 12/17/04 at 03:01 PM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 3:50pm

i guess i'm the only one ready for this show...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 3:59pm

I'm totally ready! Have you listened to the songs on the website??? LOVE THEM!

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 4:56pm

i've listened to 'em. they sound awesome!!! i sooo wish i could get up to london to see the show! hopefully they'll release a recording as soon as the show opens! i'm excited.

ps- who's that in your icon?

[maybethistime]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 5:49pm

what is the url of the official site?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 7:55pm

www.billyelliotthemusical.com

[cturtle]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 7:08pm

billy! billy! billy!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 7:19pm

WHEEE!! Is the March date the first preview or Opening? I'll be in London at the end of April and I'd LOVE to go to Opening Night!! Anyone know?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 7:26pm

take me w/ you Tiff!!!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 7:44pm

Er, sure thing, CQ.

You think I'm hotter than that Lego, right?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 7:47pm

duuuuuh

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 7:53pm

Alright then. Hop in my suitcase. Until April.

ETA: Any news in Guys And Dolls w/ Ewan McG?

Updated On: 12/18/04 at 07:53 PM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 7:54pm

at Donmare? i think some time in spring and/or summer is when the show is set to open, i'm not sure about Ewan *hops in suitcase* poke some holes will ya?

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 10:01pm

Any room in that suitcase for me too? Tiff, the previews start in March, though I believe that they will only be doing three shows a week (Friday and weekend nights) during the preview period, so plan for that. The opening (which they call "press night" in London) is in May I think. The last I heard there will actually be three of them, one for each Billy.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 10:08pm

Oh gosh, I can alter my travel plans to be in London in May if need be. I just really want to be at opening night! When do you think official opening night date(s) will be announced?

Hop in, both of you. I get 2 suitcases plus a carry-on!

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 10:29pm

I can't find any direct reporting on the opening, other than a Playbill story from a while ago that said it might be May 11, but plans were being made for three separate "press nights." However, when I checked the ticket ordering site, three nights around that time were listed as "call venue for tickets," so I'm guessing those might be the ones. They're May 12th, 14th, and 17th.

I really wish I *could* travel in your suitcase!
Ticket Ordering

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/18/04 at 11:51pm

damn-it! if i hadn't wasted all my Continental miles going to NYC, i'd have enough to fly to London. crap-ola!

[Jwaa]

Posted: 12/19/04 at 9:24am

Seriously the three kids danced and sang 'electricity' at the Royal Variety Show which was broadcasted in the UK, and they are AMAZING dancers, singing they are alright, but the dancing just blew me away! for their age! wow!

:p got my ticket for Billy

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/19/04 at 12:23pm

arrrg. Jwaa! why do YOU have to get your tickets and I can't? waaaaaa!

[cturtle]

Posted: 12/19/04 at 10:44pm

hey CQT, i just watched the movie for the third time. loved it all over again! damn, that jamie bell is sweet!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/19/04 at 11:29pm

Jwaa, so are those dates that Chloe listed confirmed as opening? Or did you get another date?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:07am

Just watched the making off: Nicholas Nickleby w/ a whole section on Smike (jamie bell)! IT was cool! Oi: Tiff, poke some holes in this damn suitcase!!!!

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:09am

there are billy elliot rehearsal picks at this website. I doubt any actor they hire will be better than Jamie though
photos!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:17am

CQ, if you suffocate just a little, I won't have to feed you as much while you're in storage. You can't feed an unconscious cargo. DUH.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 12:26am

damnit i hadn't thought of that... oh my god, i can't... i can't... bre- brea- breathe-- *falls over*