Anna-Jane Casey will join the cast of hit West End show Billy Elliot The Musical next month when the long-running production welcomes a host of new faces.
Casey, who until last month was starring as the Lady of the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot, will join the famous inspirational tale of one boy’s dream to realise his ambitions against the odds from 13 May alongside fellow Billy-newcomers Kevin Wathen, Howard Crossley and Alexander Loxton.
Stepping into the role of Billy’s dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson, the role marks the latest in a string of high profile musical appearances for Casey. Making her West End debut in Cats at the age of just 16, her credits include Chicago, Joseph And The Technicolour Dream Coat, Out Of The Blue, Starlight Express and West Side Story in the West End, Sunday In The Park With George at the Menier Chocolate Factory and The Comedy Of Errors at the Regent’s Park Open Air theatre.
Her forthcoming co-stars Wathen and Crossley both come from less musically grounded backgrounds, with Judge John Deed actor Wathen’s credits including Hamlet at the Old Vic theatre and Skellig at the Young Vic, and Crossley boasting numerous appearances for the Royal Shakespeare Company and credits at the Young Vic theatre including Comedians, Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay! and Waiting For Godot.
Ballet dancer Loxton, who will play older Billy and makes his West End debut in the production, has danced for the Dutch National Ballet and Royal Ballet.
The new leading cast members will join current Billy stars Deka Walmsley, Kay Milbourne, Simon Ray Harvey and Ann Emery, alternating Billys Harris Beattie, Tade Biesinger, Harrison Dowzell and Redmand Rance, and new ensemble members Claudia Bradley, Lee Hoy, Dean Maynard, Alan Mehdizadeh, Ryan O’Gorman, Charlotte Riby and Edmund Shaw.
The show, which is currently booking until 21 December, has further reason for celebration this week after it welcomed its four millionth audience member at last night’s performance.