Original "Billy Elliot" boys return for one night only!

Original "Billy Elliot" boys return for one night only!

To celebrate the first birthday of Billy Elliot The Musical on 12 May 2006 the trio of boys who originated the title role will return to share the stage for one night only, with each boy playing Billy in alternating scenes throughout the performance.

16 year-old James Lomas of Sheffield and 15 year-old George Maguire of Essex have returned to school having successfully played the role Billy Elliot for over six months. They will reunite for this unique performance with 13 year-old Liam Mower of Hull who currently performs in the show and shares his Billy duties with the new young stars on alternate nights.

Stephen Daldry said: "It seemed only fitting to bring back the original boys for Billy's birthday and I am delighted that James, George and Liam are able to return and collectively recreate the magic that contributed to the show's initial success...I can't wait to see the show with the three of them together"

Since its opening Billy Elliot The Musical has grossed over £30 million. Over 650,000 people will have seen the show when it celebrates its first birthday.

The cast currently includes: Phil Whitchurch (Dad), Chris Lennon (Tony), Alex Delamere (Mr Braithwaite), Paul Broughton (George), Stephanie Putson (Mum), Haydn Gwynne (Mrs Wilkinson), Anne Emery (Grandma). Billy is currently performed by Leon Cooke & Liam Mower and Travis Yates.

The show opened 11 May 2005, following previews from 31 March, to terrific notices from the popular press: MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Billy Elliot succeeds brilliantly because Elton John's music and, especially, Peter Darling's choreography enhance Lee Hall's cinematic concept." CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Billy Elliot strikes me as the greatest British musical I have ever seen." ALASTAIR MACAULAY for THE FINANCIAL TIMES says, "Elton John's music is too often formulaic but about half of this show achieves dramatic poetry of a kind rare in any kind of theatre."PAUL TAYLOR for THE INDEPENDENT says, "Funny, touching and shamelessly enjoyable staging."

Billy Elliot : The Musical is produced by Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan co-Chairmen of Working Title Films and theatre impresario Sally Greene, from Old Vic Productions along with Jon Finn.

The show has Book & Lyrics by Lee Hall & Music by Elton John. It is directed by Stephen Daldry, designed by Ian MacNeil, lighting by Rick Fisher, costumes by Nicky Gillibrand, choreography by Peter Darling, sound by Paul Arditti

Billy Elliot is the story of a boy from a humble Tyneside background, whose mother is dead, and whose father and brother are caught up in the bitterly fought community-splitting miner's strike of 1984. Billy's father wants his son to learn to box, like him and his father before him. But instead Billy becomes fascinated by the grace and magic of ballet. BILLY ELLIOT is about Billy's gritty and determined struggle, at first in secret, but then with the wholehearted backing of his family, to dance his way to the brightest of futures by winning a place at the Royal Ballet School.