In the News...

[rtm2008]

A forum for news item links you find related to BETM in London. If you come across an article of interest add the link or attach the image! We'll add to the gallery those that seem to have lasting relevance.

[rtm2008]

A short article on the 3rd Birthday celebration in London from the Press Association.

Billy Elliot musical survives hitch

11 hours ago

Billy Elliot the Musical celebrated its third birthday but only after overcoming a technical hitch that brought the curtain down early in the first half.

Around 40 minutes into the award-winning show, a member of the production crew walked on stage and apologised to the audience.

After a short pause, the show resumed, and the break did not dampen the audience's spirits: the show finished to a standing ovation.

Director Stephen Daldrey was philosophical about the glitch. There's always a technical hitch when you don't want one, he said.

Before the show he appeared on stage to give a personal welcome to the sell-out crowd and to thank the show's cast and production crew.

And as the curtain came down on the second half, he presented the singers and dancers at London's Victoria Palace Theatre with a giant birthday cake.

The musical, based on the hit film starring Jamie Bell, has been seen by more than two million people in the UK and Australia. In the autumn the show goes to Broadway, and Mr Daldrey admitted he was nervous about how it would be received.

He said it was frightening to think of how the story would go down with American audiences. But he said the show's political themes might chime with the mood of change in the US and the triumph of the underdog.

After the show proper finished Mr Daldrey introduced the three young men cast to play Billy in the US. David Alvarez, 13, Trent Kowalik, 13, and Kiril Kulish, 14, performed a short dance that had the crowd back on their feet.

Audiences have flocked to see the show, which follows the dancing dreams of young Billy against the backdrop of the miners strike in a village in County Durham during the 1980s.

[rtm2008]

An article about Scarlet Embleton in the Shields Gazette:

Scarlet's a West End hit
Published Date: 26 May 2008
By Verity Ward
Entertainment reporter
SCARLET the starlet impressed bosses at London's West End hit show Billy Elliot so much that they've asked her to stay.

Talented Scarlet Embleton, 11, from South Shields, scooped the lead role of Debbie in the musical after wowing judges last summer.

However, her contract, which was due to end in June, has now been extended for a further six months.

Mum Andrea Embleton, 42, a gymnastics coach, said: "I'm thrilled for her. She's having the time of her life in London doing something she really loves. Needless to say she's over the moon too."

The Harton Technology School pupil, who also performs with the Carley School of Dance, has been living in a house filled with young stars who share the roles of Debbie and Billy.

But she still makes time, almost every week, to visit her mum at their home in Widdrington Avenue, Horsley Hill.

Mrs Embleton said: "It's hard with her being so far away. But she visits most weeks, a chaperone will escort her on the train, and then she'll spend a few days at school too."

Despite thinking her daughter was 'amazing' the first time she saw her on stage, the mum-of-two insists Scarlet gets better by the performance.

She added: "I've seen her in action about six times now, and each time was better than the last. I'm so proud of her."

n It's not the first time a South Tyneside girl has been picked to play the role of Debbie.

Scarlet follows in the footsteps of Leyci Wightman and Lucy Stephenson, both from South Shields, and Brooke Bailey, from Cleadon.

Starlet ... Scarlet Embleton.

scarlet-embleton.jpg (9.78 KiB) Viewed 1730 times

[Michael]

Rhys Yeomans, from Chadderton

C_71_article_1053575.jpg (14.79 KiB) Viewed 1671 times

Article "Rhys Ready for Leap of Faith"

Rhys ready for leap of faith
by Stuart Greer
11/ 6/2008


A 10-YEAR-OLD is being kept on his toes as he waits to find out if he is to be the star of a musical in London’s West End.

Rhys Yeomans, from Chadderton, has won his way through three regional auditions and will now go to London to dazzle the producers of a new stage production of ‘Billy Elliot’.

He is one of a handful of boys from all over the UK hoping to get the chance to take the lead role. It’s a remarkable achievement for the pupil of Hulme Grammar School, who only started formal classes at StageCoach Theatre Arts, at New Bridge School, Hollinwood, 18 months ago.

However, his mum Joanne says Rhys displayed a desire to perform from a very early age.

"He has been dancing and singing since he was two," she said. "He’s never been into football, although he likes it, so I thought we should channel his passion into something he loves doing."

Rhys’s first audition, for the part of Tiny Tim in ‘Scrooge’, wasn’t successful because he was too tall. However he was praised for his singing and advised to audition for ‘Billy Elliot’.

The youngster did just that and made the top four from 250 boys at his first audition, but he was told to improve his dancing.

Rhys joined Centrepointe Dance Academy, in Manchester, which has helped him immeasurably. So much so that last month he auditioned again and won his place in the national finals. If he wins he will take# up a place in the Billy Elliot academy in Leeds, which takes two years to train the next stars for the West End stage.

Mum Joanne, of Challum Drive, said Rhys wasn’t nervous about auditioning. "He takes it all in his stride," she said. "He just love performing."

Rhys shares his mum’s love of musicals but is also interested in becoming a pop star – he wants to be discovered by Simon Cowell and become the next Justin Timberlake.

"People are always telling him to audition for the ‘X-Factor’, ‘Pop Idol’ or ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, but he doesn’t want to yet," Joanne added. "I’m not one of those pushy mums, I’ll let him do it in his own time."

Stagecoach started in Oldham in 1990. Students aged four to 16 are taught by principal Kate Parkinson every Saturday. For more information call 01204 407800 or email oldham@stagecoach.co.uk

[rtm2008]

An article about Fox in the Evening Standard. The article can also be found in the gallery as a PDF here:

Fox is first Londoner to take role of Billy Elliot
Evening Standard
20.06.08

In three years, there have been 15 Billy Elliots on the West End stage. But there's never been a Londoner - until now.

On Monday, Fox Jackson-Keen, 13, of Hornsey, will step into the role made famous by Jamie Bell in the original film set in a Northern mining town.

"I will probably be nervous on the night but I'm not now," he said. "I'm just really excited and really proud to be the first London boy to play Billy Elliot."

Fox, the son of a marketing agent, started break-dancing when he was nine and soon took up ballet and tap. He decided he wanted to be in Billy Elliot after seeing the production at the Victoria Palace Theatre. "It's such a clever show, just the timing and every detail in it," he said.

The first time he auditioned he was too small. But when he re-applied he was accepted and has spent the past year training. His younger brother Teddy had a small role in Billy Elliot last year and was also in A Voyage Around My Father with Derek Jacobi.

Fox now hopes to make acting his career, having appeared in TV shows such as The Bill and the Terry Pratchett adaptation Hogfather, as well as dancing at Sadler's Wells. "I'm 13 years old and have been lucky enough to have done some amazing things," he said.

Really excited: Fox Jackson-Keen, 13, outside the Victoria Palace Theatre

billy_415x275.jpg (51.81 KiB) Viewed 1599 times

[rtm2008]

The article about Fox Jackson-Keen from the London Paper has been added to the gallery.

A SCHOOLBOY today told how he beat off competition from thousands of young hopefuls to become the first Londoner to play Billy Elliot in the West End.

Fox Jackson-Keen, 13, from Hornsey, will make his debut on Monday in the title role made famous by Jamie bell in the hit 2000 film.

He told the thelondonpaper: "I am really proud to be the first London boy to play Billy Elliot. I had eight auditions before they told me I had the part. It was hard work."

Fox was turned down for the role two years ago because he was too small. He will become the 16th Billy Ellio to tread the boards in the musical and hopes to play the role for as long as he is able: "Billy is supposed to be 11, so it depends on how fast I grow and when my voice breaks. I'm 13, so it could happen at any time."

Fox, who has been acting since he was six, has left his school, Highgate Woods in Haringey, to be tutored alongside his fellow cast members.

He will appear as Billy at the Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street.

Fox Jackson-Keen from thelondonpaper.

fjktlpphoto.jpg (331.13 KiB) Viewed 1595 times

[rtm2008]

An article about Fox Jackson-Keen in The Official London Theatre Guide:

Latest News: London gets first home-grown Billy

First published: 23 Jun 2008
Fox Jackson-Keen will today become the first Londoner to play the title role in international hit musical Billy Elliot when he takes to the stage at the Victoria Palace.

Jackson-Keen, a 13-year-old from Hornsey, is the 16th boy to play Billy Elliot, and joins the trio of Layton Williams, Hogan Fulton and Joshua Fedrick who alternate as the lead.

Set in the North East of England during the miners’ strikes of the 1980s, Billy Elliot tells the story of a young boy who unearths a talent for dance and dreams of making it to the Royal Ballet School. But in a community where boys box and then work down the mines, his family struggles to understand his ambition.

The hit film, which starred Jamie Bell, was written by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, received three Oscar and 13 BAFTA nominations. Hall and Daldry reunited to create the stage show, joining with pop royalty Sir Elton John, who provided the score.

Since opening in May 2005, Billy Elliot the musical has played to 2.2 million people, while a new production has opened in Australia, and a Broadway show opens later this year.

Fox Jackson-Keen plays Billy Elliot (Image 1 of 3)

100968_28_preview.jpg (9.19 KiB) Viewed 1505 times

Fox Jackson-Keen plays Billy Elliot (Image 2 of 3)

100966_28_preview.jpg (10.28 KiB) Viewed 1506 times

Fox Jackson-Keen plays Billy Elliot (Image 3 of 3)

100965_28_preview.jpg (6.94 KiB) Viewed 1491 times

[rtm2008]

And another Fox article with picture from Playbill News:

London Boy Is One of the West End's New "Billy Elliots"

By Mark Shenton
23 Jun 2008

Fox Jackson-Keen becomes the 16th boy to play the title role in the original West End production of Billy Elliot on June 23 — a debut that marks the first time the role has been played by a Londoner.

The multi-talented 13-year-old has said in a press statement that he has "been lucky enough to have done some amazing things. I have represented London at Gymnastics, danced at the Sadler's Wells, appeared on television in shows such as 'Hyper Drive' and 'The Bill' and have filmed in Cannes and Camberwell. I am enjoying my time at Billy Elliot enormously and have really benefited from the support of a huge team here. I am really proud to be the first London boy to play Billy Elliot."

He joins current Billy Elliots Layton Williams (14 years old from Manchester), Hogan Fulton (13 years old from Newberry Park, California) and Joshua Fedrick (14 years old from Saltash, Cornwall) who perform alongside the adult principals Jackie Clune (Mrs. Wilkinson), Phil Whitchurch (Dad), Chris Lennon (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Trevor Fox (George), Alex Delamere (Mr. Braithwaite), Sara Poyzer (Mum) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy).

Billy Elliot, inspired by the movie and written by Lee Hall and Elton John, is currently playing at London's Victoria Palace Theatre. For tickets, contact the box office on 0870 895 5577, or visit http://www.billyelliotthemusical.com.

It is also currently playing internationally at Sydney's Capitol Theatre, and will begin performances at Broadway's Imperial Theatre in October.

Fox Jackson-Keen as Billy Elliot.
photo by Alastair Muir

newbillyelliot200.jpg (68.59 KiB) Viewed 1474 times

Fox Jackson-Keen and the cast of Billy Elliot.
photo by Alastair Muir

newbillyelliot460.jpg (93.28 KiB) Viewed 1483 times

[rtm2008]

Broadway world also posted a short piece about Fox here with the same pictures as the last two articles but a bit higher resolution.

[Shanana5887]

its so sad that they didnt put Corey in with the current Billys......

[rtm2008]

Another articleabout Fox's first show as Billy Elliot:

Fresh Face Joins Billy Elliot Cast

The West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical has welcomed its 16th Billy. Thirteen-year-old Fox Jackson-Keen is the first ever Londoner to take on the inspirational role. Despite his age, Fox is no stranger to the limelight having represented London in Gymnastics and appearing in television shows Hyperdrive, Hogfather and The Bill.

Due to demands on the young actors several Billys rotate performances, Fox will join Layton Williams, Hogan Fulton and Joshua Fedrick in the role at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Billy Elliot has played to over one million people since its world premiere at the Victoria Palace in 2005, where it is now accepting bookings until 11th April 2009. The multi-award winning musical has recently opened in Australia and is due to open on Broadway this winter. The production is directed by Stephen Daldry and shares the creative team behind the original feature film including music by pop icon, Elton John.

Set against the miners strikes of Thatcher's Britain, the musical weaves an enchanting tale of a boy without a mother who is pressured by his traditional working class family to take up boxing. Instead, Billy discovers a love and aptitude for ballet. This leads to secret lessons and eventually to a place at the prestigious Royal Ballet school - moving stuff!

With a well established fanbase and roots in one of the best loved British films of the decade, Billy Elliot the musical is a show to be reckoned with, a perfect springboard for young Fox to launch a glittering career in theatre.

fjksas.jpg (3.19 KiB) Viewed 1410 times

[rtm2008]

An article on Fox from the Tottenham Journal

Schoolboy lands role in West End hit show
25 June 2008

A SCHOOLBOY stepped into the spotlight this week to become the first Londoner to play the lead in hit West End musical Billy Elliot.

Fox Jackson-Keen, 13, showed persistence really does pay as he shrugged off a failed audition aged just 11 to win the coveted title role.

He said: "I saw a flyer for Billy Elliot and thought I would give it a go. The first time I was turned down because they said I was too small. I went back the next year and they said, 'Yeah' and I got through, which is really cool."

Fox is the 16th boy to play the part.

"All of my family were just really, really happy and started jumping up and down," he said. "It was really a great moment."

Once through, Fox faced a tough summer long boot camp last year at Billy Elliot School in Hammersmith - learning ballet, tap dance and singing alongside the other boys, who will share the part with him.

"It's really hard work," said Fox, who used to go to Highgate Wood School and represented London in a national gymnastics competition. "You need to do a lot of fitness to get through the first bit of it."

Fox showed all the composure of an old pro before making his debut in the award-winning musical on Monday evening at the Victoria Palace Theatre in front of his proud family.

"I can't wait," he said. "I will probably be a bit nervous on the night but I think once I get out there I will be fine."

Fox is no stranger to the limelight having acted in TV shows such as The Bill, Hogfather with David Jason and BBC comedy Hyperdrive, as well as an advertisement for yogurt company Petits Filous. He comes from a family brimming with talent.

Brother Teddy, 14, has also been in the cast of Billy Elliot and acted alongside stage great Derek Jacobi in Voyage Around My Father at Wyndham's Theatre.

And, sister Davina, nine, featured with Fox in an edition of Blue Peter last Christmas.

Fox is a fan of the hit film starring Jamie Bell on which the musical, composed by music legend Elton John is based, having watched it "many times".

Although, the story is about a ballet dancing boy from a northern mining town, Fox has managed to master the accent.

"It's harder for other people to do the accent - if you're from Wales or Scotland - but because I'm from London, I've quite a plain accent so it's not very hard," he said.

"I also have a dialect coach."

Asked about his unusual first name, he explained there are two reasons for it - his mum thought he looked like a fox cub and his dad was a fan of hit TV series X Files and FBI agent Fox Mulder.

Fox says he "would love to be famous".

With two performances a week in one of the most popular musicals around, as well as being on stand-by should any of the other Billy's be out of action, his dreams look liking coming true.

"I just love all of it," said Fox. "To perform is such a great feeling."

Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, London, is booking until April 11, 2009.

For tickets call the box office on 0870 895 5577 or visit website http://www.billyelliotthemusical.com

Fox Jackson-Keen: 'To perform is such a great feeling.'

smithc42625062008.P01.jpg (14.57 KiB) Viewed 1366 times

[rtm2008]

An article from News & Star:

I’ll be a big hit in the West End
By Julie Armstrong

Last updated 11:43, Wednesday, 09 July 2008

A 10-YEAR-OLD Cumbrian boy made it to the final four hopefuls at auditions for the West End’s Billy Elliot.

Robert Middleton, of Plumpton, dazzled casting agents and theatre directors at auditions in Newcastle, just missing out on the lead role in one of the biggest shows of the last 40 years.

Robert was delighted to get so far, after nagging his mum to let him join a dancing school dominated by girls.

He has attended dance classes for the last four years at the Bishop Yards School of Dance in Penrith.

School principal Marie Booth said:“Robert first showed an interest in dancing when his friend’s sister used to attend classes and he would join in. He nagged his mum to phone up to see if he could come to dance classes on a regular basis.

“He has grown from strength to strength and so has his confidence. He is very popular amongst all of the other pupils.”

Robert is one of just eight boys who attend the dance school, taking regular exams and performing in the school shows. But being in the minority has not deterred him.

“We took a group of pupils to perform on a cruise liner last October and Robert was the only boy, said Miss Booth.

“Everyone enjoyed the experience, especially Robert. He was not phased by the huge audiences which they performed to, in fact he developed a great stage presence.”

Robert said he would be trying again next year for the role of Billy Elliot. “The judges picked two of the older boys, but at the end of the auditions they held me back and asked me to come back next year,” he said. “They said that it was only my age that worked against me.”

[rtm2008]

An article about one of the boys attending the Billy Elliot School from the Sunderland Echo:

Adam really wants to be Billy
Published Date:
14 July 2008
By Jessica Forster
A talented youngster has been picked from hundreds to spend the summer holidays at "Billy School".

Adam Hunter, 11, from Roker, will spend six weeks polishing up his singing, dancing and acting skills to audition for the West End musical Billy Elliot.

His performing arts tutor, Fiona Clegg, 40, of Centre Stage, Sunderland, said: "Adam is a fantastic dancer – for him it is like breathing.

"He is like Billy Elliot because he is so passionate about it.

"He lives for the stage and you don't look at anyone else when he is on it. He has that special something."

Billy School was set up to feed actors into the musical, which needs three boys to play Billy at any one time because no child can do more than three shows a week.

It also means finding three other boys to play Michael, Billy's best friend, and three girls to play Debbie, the daughter of Billy's dance teacher. Even more boys and girls are also needed for the ballet classes.

The boys cannot be too tall, they need to look 11 years old and their voices need to be unbroken for the songs, so there is only a short opportunity for them to star in the role.

Some youngsters grow so much during training that at the end of all their hard work they are too tall to be cast in the role.

Fiona said: "It's a big deal for Adam and there are nine other boys there, so it doesn't mean he has got through. But he will be training with professionals and it will be great experience."

The Redby School pupil has been dancing since he was eight and started working on his acting and singing with Centre Stage last year.

Since then he has played Chip the cup in Beauty and the Beast and danced on stage with Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney in Cinderella at the Sunderland Empire.

Roles in Billy Elliot, which is set during the miners' strike of 1984-5, are challenging for young children.

Fiona said: "They have to be so emotional and they are only 11 – a lot of them haven't experienced lots of trauma in life.

"I remember the strikes as a little girl, growing up with them on the news and how frightening it was, with all the rioting and everything, and it is very tough to get that across."

Adam will work on his acting, singing and dancing five days a week but will be able to come home and see his family and friends on weekends.

He and the other Billy School pupils will be assessed after three weeks and then again at six, when he will find out if he could be a star on stage on the West End.

[Brad]

Am I mistaken or does Adam bear an uncanny resemblance to Nick Twiney at the same age???

[rtm2008]

Some news articles about Tom can be found in his thread.

[rtm2008]

An article about Tanner from the [url=http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2620&u_sid=10441102]Omaha World Herald[\url]:

Teen dancer from Norfolk wins title role in London musical
BY BOB FISCHBACH
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

There's no clear path from obscurity to a spotlight in world-class theater.

Yet Tanner Pflueger of Norfolk, Neb., has arrived at age 13.

Tanner snagged the title role in a London musical, "Billy Elliot." Based on a 2000 movie, with music by Elton John, it's the story of a British boy from a coal-mining family who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes.

Tanner opens Sept. 29 at the Victoria Palace Theatre in the West End, London's equivalent to Broadway.

"It's so hard to find boys capable of doing this role," said Jessica Ronane, London casting director of "Billy Elliot." "They're like gold dust."

The role requires difficult ballet and tap steps, gymnastics and a British dialect, "an awful lot to learn at that age," said Nora Brennan, the New York casting director who found Tanner in a nationwide search.

Tanner was up for it, his teachers say. He has a strong work ethic, a perfectionist nature and the ability to pick things up quickly.

The story of how Tanner blossomed as a dancer, and how London found him, beats fantastic odds.

It starts with a shy kid who clung to his mother's hand at his first dance lesson six years ago.

He's the second son of Marty Pflueger, a steel machinist, and wife Jan, a nurse. Neither is particularly musical, but Tanner took to piano, singing and saxophone along with gymnastics.

"He had a tape recorder he would sing and dance to when he was a toddler," his mother said.

At age 6, Tanner went to cousin Brandi Roeber's dance recital. Soon after, he had a surprise for her.

"He'd made up his own dance to the song I had danced to," said Roeber, a pediatric dentist in Omaha. "He watched the recital tape over and over to learn."

Soon after, he started lessons in Wisner, Neb.

"At first I was scared, and I didn't want to do it," Tanner said recently from London. "But I finally started to enjoy it, and I let go of Mom's hand."

Soon he was under the wing of tap teacher Kathy Morrison. When a job opened at Nebraska Dance in Omaha, Morrison took it. Her star pupil followed her.

Thus began four years of commuting, three times a week, 100 miles one way.

"We were willing to make that sacrifice because he loved it," Jan Pflueger said. "When he got into the car, he'd eat a packed lunch and start his homework. He and his dad would listen to 'Jeopardy' on the radio. We did a lot of talking, too, bonding time."

At Nebraska Dance, Tricia Lovejoy, Sally Banghart and Sarah Koenig taught Tanner ballet, skills that turned out to be key in landing the role. From Lovejoy, Tanner said, he learned the importance of ballet as the basis of all dance.

"And she was the first person to get me to wear tights. Tights aren't one of the first things I'd choose to put on."

Tanner drew attention at the 2007 Youth American Grand Prix, an annual ballet competition known around the world. Soon after, Brennan called Nebraska Dance to ask if he'd like to audition for "Billy Elliot."

After four rounds of auditions over 14 months, Tanner was offered the role in early May.

"That first audition, I remember very distinctly just being blown away by him," Brennan said. "He was a phenomenal tapper, and he had a really high level of skill — a beautiful, lyrical, well-rounded dancer. He's sort of a quiet boy, but he's amazing."

The London offer brought a dilemma: Should his parents let him go? Tanner had never been away from them for longer than a weekend with nearby grandparents.

Jan Pflueger, who admitted shedding more than a few tears of both pride and concern, said it was a tough decision.

"He told me, 'Mom, you can't keep me home just 'cause you're gonna miss me. You have to give me a very good reason.'

"I didn't have a good reason."

Tanner's parents prayed about it, checked out the supervised living arrangements and tutoring in London, and decided that it was the chance of a lifetime.

"This wasn't something we went looking for or were pursuing for him," his mother said. "God was telling us we needed to give him that chance."

Since Tanner arrived in London on June 13, his parents have visited monthly. He calls his mom two or three times a day, starting at 3 a.m. — which is 9 a.m. in London.

"My wife said I'd have to take that first call," Marty Pflueger said, laughing. "But I have yet to. She grabs the phone immediately."

Tanner says he's having the time of his life. He'll perform at least through May — unless a dreaded growth spurt or homesickness arrives first.

He does miss his family members. "It's hard not being with them, but I just really enjoy it," he said of performing.

"I've always dreamed of being a pro dancer. I sorta am right now, and I just want to keep it going as I get older. They say I'm doing well, and I'll be completely ready for my opening night."

His parents and grandmother will be in the audience Monday to see it.

Once nervous that he'd be sick to his stomach before going on, Tanner now loves to perform.

"It's just the music, and letting go, and forgetting about everything else. And just having fun."

Tanner Pflueger of Norfolk, Neb., executes a leap during a dance recital. The 13-year-old is to open Sept. 29 in a London musical production based on the movie "Billy Elliot."

tanner.jpg (114.2 KiB) Viewed 1113 times

[rtm2008]

An article about a future small boy, Thomas Sharps, from the Sevenoaks Chronicle:

Thomas, six, picked for West End show
Thursday, September 25, 2008, 12:00

A YOUNGSTER from Hurst Green has sung and danced his way into a top London show.

Last month Thomas Sharps saw off competition from around 100 other aspiring actors to land the role of The Small Boy – the young Billy Elliot – in the smash hit musical.

And on Monday the six-year-old from Hurst Green Road will grace the stage of The Victoria Palace Theatre in London for the first time.

A gruelling audition left him in no doubt that show business is no business without a lot of hard work.

"I never thought it was going to finish," he said. "It took a really long time."

Since landing the role, Thomas has been rehearsing for at least eight hours every week.

And he only fell in love with the musical relatively recently when his mother, Tina, took him to see it for the first time.

"At the end, with the miners, it was so loud because they went into the ground," said Thomas.

"I thought it was night. It was a bit scary."

In learning his lines he has picked up a couple of new terms.

"I have to say two naughty words," said the youngster from Hazelwood School, although he is under strict instruction to save them for the stage.

Thomas is the youngest actor to play the part, said his father, Nick.

His talent was spotted by Stagecoach, an acting school run at Hazelwood on Sundays, who added his name to their register.

The Billy Elliot production company then invited him to an audition and he has not looked back since.

Mr Sharps said: "He's very excited. I think there was a bit of trepidation at first, when he saw the size of the theatre.

"But now he's met the other children and the rest of the cast he's a lot more relaxed."

Nevertheless, Thomas is a big fan of school and missing two days every week to rehearse has not been easy.

"That's been our biggest problem, taking him out of school, because he loves it so much," said Mr Sharps.

Head of pre-prep Lynn Weeks said the teachers and all his friends were rooting for him. "I think it's fantastic," she said. "He's done extremely well and we're all very proud of him."

Thomas has a contract for six months. In that time he will rotate with three other boys, starring in three shows every week.

Mr Sharps said Thomas will then have a well-earned rest.

And the youngster is not about to rush into any long-term career decisions.

Mr Sharps said: "I think if you ask him he'd say he'd rather play football for Chelsea."

[rtm2008]

An article about Oliver Havis, who will be joining the Billy Elliot cast as Small Boy, from Echo:

West End joy as Oliver joins his sister
7:00pm Tuesday 30th September 2008
By Emma Palmer

YOUNG Oliver Havis has proved success is all relative by landing himself a part in the West End hit musical Billy Elliot, alongside his sister.

The budding star, six, is set to join his older sister Abbie, ten, on stage at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London after she won a role in the show earlier this year.

Far from any sibling rivalry, Abbie is elated her brother will be joining the cast.

Oliver, who attends the same school as Abbie, Kingston Primary, in Thundersley, will perform in the opening scenes of the musical as a young boy who dances through the aisles of the auditorium before leaping onto the stage.

Abbie has played the part of young ballerina Alison since June.

Oliver said: “I’m really happy to be joining the show and to be performing with Abbie. It will be nice to be on stage together in such a brilliant show.”

Proud mum Helen Havis, 35, who lives in Church Road, Thundersley, added: “I am absolutely over the moon both my children have landed amazing roles in the most fantastic musical.

“Our entire family, our friends, their headteacher and class teachers are also very pleased and supportive.

“I’ve already seen the show six times since Abbie’s been in it and now it looks as though I’ll know it word for word once Oliver starts.”

Headteacher at Kingston School, Christine Webster said: “Abbie has always been a little performer, but Oliver tends to hide his light under a bushel. He is such a comical character this role will suit him down to the ground.”

Oliver will make his debut in the show near Christmas.

Both he and Abbie learnt their dance skills at Starlight Dance Works, Thundersley.

Oliver and Abbie Havis

oliverhavis.jpg (18.55 KiB) Viewed 1028 times

[rtm2008]

An article from the Daily Mail discussing a possible BETM movie, confirming the Korea Production mentioned earlier, and confirming that Joanna Riding's first run as Mrs. Wilkinson will be short since she is pregnant with her second child.

Billy Elliot Two? That would be tutu divine

Elton John could turn his musical Billy Elliot into a film... again

Elton John and the creative team behind Billy Elliot the musical have been mulling over the prospect of turning the show into a movie.

Yes, we know the show was based on a film in the first place, but that movie, released in 2000, didn't have an original score. Rather, it had the protagonist dancing to T.Rex and The Clash. The movie of the musical would vary considerably.

'It's an idea that has been kicked around and discussed, but the point is it has to be vastly different from the original Billy Elliot film,' said Eric Fellner, co-chair of Working Title, the studio which is the controlling force behind the film that came out in 2000
and the stage production, which has become a success not just at the Victoria Palace but also in Australia - and New York, where it's the hottest show on Broadway this year.

The musical is based on the film version written by Hall, directed by Stephen Daldry and choreographed by Peter Darling, in which Jamie Bell played the eponymous miner's son who realised he could pirouette from the pits to the barre.

'I feel I've finally got it right with regards to stage musicals - and there might be
more we can look at, with a film of the show,' Elton told me in New York recently.

Lee Hall, who also wrote the film's screenplay and penned the stage show's lyrics and 'book' said the film of the musical was 'something that's in the ether' and he felt it would be an opportunity to look deeper into what the miners and their families went through during the year-long strike in 1984.

More from Baz Bamigboye...

* Kate Hudson struts it on the catwalk in boots that were made for dancing 21/11/08
* Billy Elliot takes Broadway by storm - even the Big Apple's critics are impressed 15/11/08
* BAZ BAMIGBOYE on Whoopi Goldberg, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Kristin Scott Thomas and much more... 13/11/08
* EXCLUSIVE: The naked truth about Kate Winslet's pics: 'I obviously don't look like that all the time' 13/11/08
* Baz Bamigboye reveals Tessa Jowell's plan to censor the National Theatre, Robin Williams, Barack Obama and much more 06/11/08
* BAZ BAMIGBOYE on Jonathan Ross, Judi Dench, Rachel Weisz and much more... 31/10/08
* Baz Bamigboye on the return of James McAvoy, Natascha McElhone, Anne Hathaway and much more 23/10/08
* Baz Bamigboye on a possible Mamma Mia sequel, Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio and much more 16/10/08
* VIEW FULL ARCHIVE



Elton's stage score cleverly combines a wide range of styles from disco to choral anthems, ballads to working- class folk songs, and it gives a tremendous sense of time and place.

Elton would write more numbers for a possible movie, although that would depend on how Hall structures his screenplay.

David Furnish, an executive producer of the show, insisted a movie wasn't something that would happen soon.

Indeed, Hall has to write a script that persuades the others that it's a project worth pursuing.

In any case, with the show just beginning its advance around the globe - Sydney, New York, Melbourne. . . and next year Korea! - there's no urgency for a screen version.

Also, all of the creative team have other projects to fulfil first. Billy Elliot continues at the Victoria Palace, where it remains the best musical in the country.

Watching Billy Elliot on various stages around the world, I have been struck by how disparate audiences react.

I believe they're all moved by the sense of loss of community, disruption of family and, ultimately, the generosity of those who had nothing, but decided to give something to help a child achieve his dream.

Short run: Joanna Riding

Award-winning Joanna Riding will play dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre from Monday.

But it will be a short run for her.

'Well, it's a lot to do with health and safety,' Joanna told me.

In fact, she has been told she can perform for only a limited period because she's pregnant for the second time.

Joanna told me that she and her husband didn't think they'd be able to have another child.

'It was a surprise,' she laughed. 'But they've said I can come back to Billy Elliot and that's what I'll do later on next year.

'I do cartwheels and everything as Mrs Wilkinson and I'm happy to stay as long as possible, but I suppose I have to do as I'm told.'