Four Young Stars Announced for Billy Elliot the Musical Revival and U.K. Tour

A new generation of performers has been chosen to lead Billy Elliot the Musical as the hit show prepares for a major U.K. national tour and limited West End run.

The title role will be shared by four young actors: 12-year-old Noah Mannion from Stockport, 12-year-old Rafferty Smale from Leigh-on-Sea, 13-year-old Spencer Collins from California and 12-year-old William Gurney from Berkshire. The performers were revealed in London on Wednesday night at an event attended by Sir Elton John, who composed the musical’s score.

The announcement also brings a notable return for Liam Mower, one of the original three actors who first played Billy when the musical opened in 2005. Mower, who won an Olivier Award for his performance as the young dancer, will now appear in the production as Older Billy.

The new production will launch at Sunderland Empire on Nov. 4, where it will run through Nov. 28. It will then travel to the Palace Theatre Manchester from Dec. 2 to Jan. 9, 2027, before playing the Edinburgh Playhouse from Jan. 19 to Feb. 6.

Based on the acclaimed film, Billy Elliot the Musical follows a working-class boy from County Durham who discovers a passion for ballet against the backdrop of the 1980s miners’ strike. With music by Elton John and a book and lyrics by Lee Hall, the musical has become one of Britain’s most successful stage exports.

The original London production opened in the West End in 2005 and went on to win major awards, including the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Its young stars became central to the show’s legacy, with Mower’s return linking the revival to the production’s celebrated beginnings.

The four new Billys will alternate in the physically demanding role, which requires acting, singing and extensive dance work. Their casting marks a key step for the revival as it prepares to introduce the story to a new generation of audiences across the U.K.