Fresh Face Joins Billy Elliot Cast

The West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical has welcomed its 16th Billy. Thirteen-year-old Fox Jackson-Keen is the first ever Londoner to take on the inspirational role. Despite his age, Fox is no stranger to the limelight having represented London in Gymnastics and appearing in television shows Hyperdrive, Hogfather and The Bill.

Due to demands on the young actors several Billys rotate performances, Fox will join Layton Williams, Hogan Fulton and Joshua Fedrick in the role at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Billy Elliot has played to over one million people since its world premiere at the Victoria Palace in 2005, where it is now accepting bookings until 11th April 2009. The multi-award winning musical has recently opened in Australia and is due to open on Broadway this winter. The production is directed by Stephen Daldry and shares the creative team behind the original feature film including music by pop icon, Elton John.

Set against the miners strikes of Thatcher's Britain, the musical weaves an enchanting tale of a boy without a mother who is pressured by his traditional working class family to take up boxing. Instead, Billy discovers a love and aptitude for ballet. This leads to secret lessons and eventually to a place at the prestigious Royal Ballet school - moving stuff!

With a well established fanbase and roots in one of the best loved British films of the decade, Billy Elliot the musical is a show to be reckoned with, a perfect springboard for young Fox to launch a glittering career in theatre.