Following nationwide auditions, the producers of multi award-winning smash hit Billy Elliot the Musical have announced the names of the four boys who will play the title role in the first ever UK and Ireland tour of the iconic musical. Local boy Lewis Smallman (12 years old from West Bromwich), Adam Abbou (12 years old from Liverpool), Matthew Lyons (11 years old from Leeds) and Haydn May (11 years old from Bath) will alternate in the title role of Billy when the show opens in February 2016.

BILLY ELLIOT UK AND IRELAND TOUR - The Billys - Lewis Smallman Matthew Lyons Adam Abbou and Haydn May (photo Jonny Ruff)

They all join Annette McLaughlin as Mrs Wilkinson, Martin Walsh as ‘Dad’, Scott Garnham as ‘Tony’ and Andrea Miller as ‘Grandma’.

Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.

Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Billy Elliot the Musical has now been seen by nearly 11 million people across five continents and is the recipient of over 80 awards internationally, including ten Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards. In 2006, Liam Mower, James Lomas and George Maguire, the first three boys to play the title role, became the youngest performers ever to have won the Olivier Award for Best Actor with the show also picking up the Best Musical prize.

In total, worldwide, ninety boys have now played the iconic role of Billy Elliot on stage. In May last year, Billy Elliot the Musical celebrated its 10th birthday at the West End’s Victoria Palace Theatre where it will play its final performance on 9 April 2016 after 4,600 performances when the theatre closes for refurbishment.

Billy Elliot the Musical will be at Birmingham Hippodrome from 7 Mar – 6 May 2017. Tickets go on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends on Mon 14 Mar 2016, with groups (10+) on sale from Mon 4 Apr 2016 and general on sale opening Fri 8 Apr 2016.

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