Billy Elliot Comes Home to Sunderland Empire
The award-winning global phenomenon BILLY ELLIOT comes home!
Stephen Daldry's landmark production, BILLY ELLIOTT THE MUSICAL, based on the iconic 2000s film, is returning to Sunderland Empire this November for four weeks only!
The Olivier and Tony award-winning musical is heading on its first national tour in a decade, opening at Sunderland Empire and running from Wednesday 4th to Saturday 28th November 2026 ahead of a limited West End season at the Adelphi Theatre.
Based on the highly successful film by Director Stephen Daldry, this unforgettable production set in a northern town during the miners’ strike of 1984/5, follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class, where he discovers a passion for dance that will change his life forever. As Billy dares to dream, his courage unites his family, inspires his community, and proves the transformative power of art.
BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL is brought to life by the award-winning creative team behind the film including the North East’s own writer Lee Hall, Director Stephen Daldry and choreographer Peter Darling with iconic music by Elton John.
‘Creating Billy Elliot the Musical was one of the most joyous and inspiring moments of our careers, so to bring the show back for a UK tour and a season in the West End for the first time in over a decade is both incredibly emotional and exciting. It’s bold, it’s British, it’s full of heart and the story feels more relevant than ever. We can’t wait for a whole new generation to experience it,’ say Composer Elton John and Director Stephen Daldry.
It was recently revealed after an extensive global search that the four boys who will play the infamous title role of Billy in the national tour and limited West End season are 13-year-old Noah Mannion from Stockport, 12-year-old Rafferty Smale from Leigh-on-Sea, 13-year-old Spencer Collins from California and 13-year-old William Gurney from Berkshire.
In a full circle moment, Liam Mower who originated the role of Billy Elliot as one of three boys when the musical first opened in 2005, is to return to the show to play ‘Older Billy.’ Liam won an Olivier Award for his performance.
Starring alongside the Billy's are Annette McLaughlin who will play ‘Mrs Wilkinson’. Annette is no stranger to the role after playing the determined ballet teacher in the last UK and Ireland tour. Deka Walmsley returns to the role of 'Dad' having played the part to great acclaim in both the West End production and on screen in Billy Elliot the Musical Live. Jack Bandeira known for BBC3’s Smoggie Queens and Amazon’s Blade Runner 2099 plays ‘Tony’ with the legendary Lesley Joseph, best known for playing Dorien Green in the hugely successful sitcom Birds of a Feather and countless stage credits will play ‘Grandma’.
Alternating the role of Billy’s best friend ‘Michael’ will be Harper Etienne (10 years old from Derbyshire), Dalton Jones (nine years old from South Yorkshire), Theo Kamande (12 years old from London) and Oisin-Luca Pegg (13 years old from Birmingham). Joining them will be the region’s own Lola Cant (10 years old from Durham), Paige Cook (10 years old from Durham) and Scarlett Gardener (nine years old from Sunderland) who all alternate the role of ‘Debbie’.
Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL has been seen by just over 12 million people across five continents and is the recipient of over 85 awards internationally, including 10 Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards. It is an extraordinary theatrical experience that has captivated audiences around the world.
