How young Billy Elliot stars juggle school and work after landing dream gig
Four young boys who each play the leading role in Billy Elliot: The Musical have revealed the extent of hard work and sacrifice that goes into the show ahead of opening night.
Confidential
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PERFORMING on stage in a famous musical is the gig of a lifetime for many young entertainers, but only few know the extent of hard work and sacrifice that’s required.
For most pre-teens, life revolves around school, family and fun but for the four young boys cast as Billy Elliot in this year’s show, there’s a lot more going on.
The adorable River Mardesic, 10, Omar Abiad, 12, Wade Neilsen, 12, and Jamie Rogers, 12, have managed to juggle school, work, rehearsals, training and dance classes for the past three months ahead of Friday night’s opening night.
“We get good sleep then we push hard the next day,” Canberra-based Rogers told Confidential.
“We do miss our friends and family … the best part is getting to meet everyone and getting to perform with such an amazing cast.”
Each boy performs four shows per week, which includes being on “standby” for half that time.
Their ability to memorise lines, songs, dance routines and techniques all while performing in British accents is not as tough as it seems, says Brisbane’s Abiad.
“It just becomes like second nature, so once you do those long rehearsal periods it gets stuck in your mind,” he said.
Producer Louise Withers said the role requires immense discipline and focus.
“Director Stephen Daldry told me that playing the role of Billy is like playing Hamlet while running a marathon. These kids take it in their stride,” she said.
“The children’s scheduling is a challenge because there are such strict rules about how many hours they’re allowed to work and how many hours they have to go to school etc.
“So what we have to do is basically fit into what would be a normal week, everything to do with those children — their rehearsals, their performances, of course they do classes like ballet and tap even after performing (because) they have to keep those skills up.”
NSW laws permit live performers in theatre, musicals and the circus, aged 8 to 14, to work a maximum of eight hours per day and no more than four days per week.
“Of course they have to do school, they’re not allowed to fall behind in their schooling otherwise they can be asked to leave the show by the government, not just from us,” Withers said.
Newcastle’s Neilsen said landing the role was a dream come true.
“I’ve watched the movie and I’ve always wanted to be a dancer like him,” he said.
Melbourne’s Mardesic said the best part of performing is: “Getting to meet everyone and getting to perform with such an amazing cast. And also going into a whole new life story.”
Billy Elliot: The Musical opens tonight at Sydney Lyric Theatre