Melbourne’s River Mardesic to play Billy Elliot in Elton John musical
A Melbourne boy’s own dance dreams are about to come true, after winning the lead role of Billy Elliot in the new national tour of the smash-hit Elton John musical.
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The four young stars who will share the role of Billy Elliot in the hit Elton John musical have been announced.
After nationwide auditions and rehearsals, River Mardesic, 10, of Melbourne, Omar Abiad, 12 of Brisbane, Wade Neilsen, 12, of Newcastle, and Jamie Rogers, 12, of Canberra, have been cast in the award-winning musical.
Billy Elliotco-producer Louise Withers said the boys had already undergone intense training just to get the role.
“The rigorous training they have already undertaken to be successful in becoming Billy is astounding to watch and it is a delight to have these boys join the company, and to watch them embark on a journey that will provide a life experience and a performance experience which cannot be equalled,” Withers said.
Cast alongside the boys is Kelley Abbey as tough ballet teacher Mrs Wilkinson, played by Julie Walters in the film.
Justin Smith will play Billy’s father and Vivien Davis is playing Billy’s grandmother.
This 10th anniversary national tour of Billy Elliot opens in Sydney in October before reaching Melbourne’s Regent Theatre next February.
The West End musical, featuring music by Elton John, premiered in Australian 2008 as the first international production outside the UK, before its Broadway premiere.
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The first Australian tour ended in Melbourne in 2009, marking 10 years between its closure and this new tour.
It is based on the film where a young boy, raised in a small UK mining town, discovers a passion for dance instead of boxing, which was his father’s preference.
Tickets for the Melbourne season go on sale on June 5 at billyelliotthemusical.com.au
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