The first rehearsal pictures are out for the UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliot the Musical, which opens at Sunderland Empire next week and comes into the West End in February.
Rehearsals are well under way for Billy Elliot the Musical, and a new set of photographs by Foteini Christofilopoulou shows the company working through the show in the studio. The tour begins in the North East at Sunderland Empire, and the production later heads for a limited London season at the Adelphi Theatre.
Four boys share the title role: Noah Mannion, 13, from Stockport; Rafferty Smale, 12, from Leigh-on-Sea; Spencer Collins, 13, from California; and William Gurney, 13, from Berkshire. All four appear in the pictures, with Gurney leading the ensemble across the floor and Collins being guided through a step by Annette McLaughlin, who plays Mrs Wilkinson.
The adult leads are Deka Walmsley as Dad, Jack Bandeira as Tony, Lesley Joseph as Grandma and Liam Mower as Older Billy. Natasha J Barnes is in the company and is pictured as Dead Mam.
Michael, Billy's best friend, alternates between Harper Etienne (10, from Derbyshire), Dalton Jones (9, from South Yorkshire), Theo Kamande (12, from London) and Oisin-Luca Pegg (13, from Birmingham). Lola Cant (10, from Durham), Paige Cook (10, from Durham) and Scarlett Gardener (9, from Sunderland) share Debbie, so the tour opens in Gardener's home town. The full company, ensemble and Ballet Girls included, is listed in our September casting report.
The film's creative team made the stage version: book and lyrics by Lee Hall, direction by Stephen Daldry, choreography by Peter Darling and music by Elton John. Simon Pollard directs the tour, with Jeroen Luiten as associate choreographer. Universal Theatrical Group and Working Title Films present it.
Billy Elliot the Musical opens at Sunderland Empire on Wednesday 4 November 2026 and plays there until Saturday 28 November. The London season at the Adelphi Theatre begins on Friday 12 February 2027.
