Billy Elliot announces cast update

The West End production of Billy Elliot, which celebrated its 10th anniversary at London's Victoria Palace Theatre earlier this year, has announced a cast update.

From today, Matthew Seadon-Young will play the role of Billy's older brother Tony, taking over from Chris Grahamson. It has also been announced that twelve-year-old Euan Garrett, from East Lothian, Scotland, will be making his West End stage in the show as the forty-second boy to play the title role of Billy.

Ruthie Henshall and Deka Walmsley will continue as 'Mrs Wilkinson' and 'Dad' respectively, alongside Gillian Elisa as 'Grandma', Howard Crossley as 'George', Claudia Bradley as 'Dead Mum', Phil Snowden as 'Mr Braithwaite' and James Butcher as 'Older Billy'.

Matthew Seadon-Young's most recent theatre credits include the English National Opera's production of 'Sweeney Todd' at the Coliseum and 'Urinetown The Musical' at the Apollo Theatre. London stage credits also include 'She Stoops To Conquer' for the National Theatre and 'Les Misérables' at the Queen's Theatre.

Billy Elliot has book & lyrics by Lee Hall, with music by Elton John and is based on the film of the same name. It originally opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 12 May 2005, following previews from 31 March 2005 and has been seen by over 10.5 million people world wide. The show has been presented on Broadway, where it won the Tony Award for Best New Musical, as well as productions in Sydney, Melbourne, Chicago, Toronto, Seoul, the Netherlands and São Paulo in Brazil.

Synopsis: "Billy Elliot is the tale of a motherless boy whose father wants him to take up boxing. Instead, the boy discovers a love for ballet that leads him from secret lessons to a place at the Royal Ballet School."

Billy Elliot is presented in London by Universal Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Tiger Aspect and is based on the Universal Pictures/ Studio Canal film.

The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design is by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch, and choreography by Peter Darling.