Ollie Jochim is the 38th boy to play the lead role in Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London. Picture: Alastair Muir
This week 12-year-old Ollie Jochim from Chelmsford, Essex gives his first performance in the title role of the award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical. Ollie joins a cast lead by Ruthie Henshall who plays Mrs Wilkinson, Billy’s dance teacher, and becomes the 38th boy to perform the role at the Victoria Palace Theatre and the 75th boy to perform the role worldwide.
More than 375,000 tickets have also been released for sale, with bookings being taken up to 19 December 2015.
Ollie said: “I am 12 years old and from Chelmsford in Essex. I have always loved dancing – when I was younger I used to teach myself to dance from Michael Jackson YouTube videos! I joined Essex Dance Theatre in Chelmsford when I was nine to learn ballet, tap and modern and later joined their performance group. A couple of years ago my mum took me to see Billy Elliot the Musical and when I saw it I knew I wanted to be Billy. I was so overjoyed when I found out I had got the part and now I am living my dream.”
Billy Elliot the Musical has now been seen by more than 9.5 million people worldwide, and in May next year the show will celebrate its tenth birthday. Billy Elliot the Musical features music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall. Stephen Daldry directs with choreography by Peter Darling.
On Sunday 28 September 2014 at 2pm, Billy Elliot the Musical will be broadcast live from the West End to cinemas across the UK and around the world. Tickets for the live broadcast are on sale at cinemas now, and tickets are also available for this very special performance at the Victoria Palace theatre.
Ollie Jochim joins Elliott Hanna (11 years old from Liverpool), Bradley Perret (12 years old from Juan les Pins, France), Mitchell Tobin (14 years old from Florida, USA) and Matteo Zecca (12 years old from Buckinghamshire) to alternate the role of Billy. Tomi Fry (11 years old from Swindon), Zach Atkinson (12 years old from Manchester) and Zak Baker (13 years old from St Albans) play the role of Billy’s best friend Michael, and Kyria Cooper (ten years old from Hartlepool), Dayna Dixon (12 years old from Newcastle upon Tyne) and Demi Lee (11 years old from Middlesbrough) alternate the role of Debbie.
Ruthie Henshall (Mrs Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad), Chris Grahamson (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Howard Crossley (George) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy) lead the adult cast. They are joined by Claudia Bradley and David Muscat in their new roles as Dead Mum and Mr. Braithwaite respectively. Ensemble members are Craig Armstrong, David Bardsley, Paul Basleigh, Spencer Cartwright, Lucinda Collins, Gillian Elisa, Lee Hoy, Ruri James, Chris Jenkins, Charlie Martin, Alan Mehdizadeh, Steve Paget, Ben Redfern, Charlotte Riby, Mark John Richardson, Mike Scott, Phil Snowden, Wendy Somerville, Spencer Stafford and David Stoller
The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.
Billy Elliot the Musical 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.
Meet the new Billy – Ollie Jochim in a new video.
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Billy Elliot the Musical to be broadcast in cinema – News
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