Deka Walmsley News

Another week, another roundup! Today, we bring you a list of the most-read stories in our regional markets for the week of September 21. Browse over to your favorite far-away city/country to see what's making news, check out what productions are playing around the country and overseas and get to know new performers! Enjoy this virtual trek around the globe and stay tuned for next week's recap of regional not-to-be-missed news!

Our reporter talks to Deka Walmsley, currently playing Dad in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre

This week 10 year old Jack Bromage-Eccles from Nuneaton and 10 year old Thomas Moore from Doncaster join the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical to play Michael, Billy's best friend. They will alternate the role with Joe Massey 12 years old from South Wirrell. Check out their headshots below!

Billy Elliot the Musical features music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, is directed by Stephen Daldry with choreography by Peter Darling. The production features scenic design by Ian MacNeil, the associate director is Julian Webber, costume design is by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

Elton John, Stephen Daldry and Lee Hall last night (30 May 2012) joined a special Gala audience at the Victoria Palace Theatre to celebrate 3000 performances and seven years since the world premiere of the award-wining British hit, Billy Elliot the Musical. Scroll down for photos of the event and to find out what happens to that cake.

Twelve year old Harrison Dowzell from Nottinghamshire has become the thirtieth boy to play the title role of Billy Elliot in the West End. Check out the production photographs of Dowzell in action below.

Billy Elliot the Musical, now in its eighth year, will release a further 640,000 tickets this week, taking booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre to 21 December 2013. Check out the production photographs below.

Twelve year old Harrison Dowzell from Nottinghamshire is to become the thirtieth boy to play the title role of Billy Elliot in the West End. Harrison, who joins the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical today, 14 May 2012, will alternate the role of Billy with Harris Beattie (13 year old from Aberdeen, Scotland), Kaine Ward (13 years old from Hertfordshire), Ryan Collinson (13 years old from Southport) and Adam Vesperman (13 years old from Seattle, Washington, USA) He will be the 65th boy to play the role worldwide, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film.

Today, 22 February 2012, 13 year old Harris Beattie from Aberdeen, Scotland and 9 year old Dayna Dixon from Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne will join the West End cast of Billy Elliot the Musical which celebrates 7 years in at the Victoria Palace Theatre in May. Harris will become the twenty-ninth boy to play the title role in the West End and the 64th boy to play the role worldwide, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film. He is joined by Dayna who plays Debbie, dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson's daughter.

Today, 22 February 2012, 13 year old Harris Beattie from Aberdeen, Scotland and 9 year old Dayna Dixon from Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne will join the West End cast of Billy Elliot the Musical which celebrates 7 years in at the Victoria Palace Theatre in May. Harris will become the twenty-ninth boy to play the title role in the West End and the 64th boy to play the role worldwide, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film. He is joined by Dayna who plays Debbie, dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson's daughter.

Based on the Oscar nominated film, Billy Elliot the Musical is an inspirational story of one boy's dream to realise his ambitions against the odds. Set in the North East of England against the background of the historic 1984/85 miners' strike, Billy pursues his passion for dance in secret to avoid disapproval of his struggling family.

Today, 12 year old Kaine Ward from Hertfordshire and 9 year old Macy Staisick from Darlington will join the new West End cast of Billy Elliot the Musical which is now in its seventh year at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Kaine will become the twenty-eighth boy to play the title role in the West End and the 62nd boy to play the role worldwide, including Jamie Bell who played Billy Elliot in the award-winning film. He is joined by Macy who plays Dance Teacher Mrs Wilkinson's daughter, Debbie.

On 14 November 2011 Gillian Bevan (Mrs Wilkinson) and Deka Walmsley (Dad) will join the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical along with Ann Emery who returns to the cast to play Grandma, the role she originated on stage at the Victoria Palace in 2005 and played until 2010.

On 14 November 2011 Gillian Bevan (Mrs Wilkinson) and Deka Walmsley (Dad) will join the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical along with Ann Emery who returns to the cast to play Grandma, the role she originated on stage at the Victoria Palace in 2005 and played until 2010. They will be joined by new principal cast members Michael Peavoy (Tony), Sean Kearns (George) and Simon Ray Harvey (Mr. Braithwaite).

Bill Kenwright presents The Live Theatre Newcastle and National Theatre co-production of THE PITMEN PAINTERS

Bill Kenwright presents The Live Theatre Newcastle and National Theatre co-production of THE PITMEN PAINTERS

Tony Award Winner Lee Hall, playwright of THE PITMEN PAINTERS now making its American premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club's (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, is currently featured on The New Yorker website in 'Conversations With John Lahr'.

Manhattan Theatre Club's American premiere of Tony Award winner Lee Hall's THE PITMEN PAINTERS begins the final five weeks of its limited engagement tonight.

On Friday, November 5, 'Theater Talk' will feature an interview with THE PITMEN PAINTERS playwright Lee Hall and actor Deka Walmsley. THE PITMEN PAINTERS is currently playing at Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Also, Jerry Carlson, host of City Cinematheque, discusses BRIEF ENCOUNTER, the classic 1945 David Lean movie which inspired the Kneehigh Theatre's production of BRIEF ENCOUNTER being presented by Roundabout Theatre Company. 'Theater Talk' will air this Friday, November 5, at 12:30AM (Saturday Morning) on WNET-TV (Channel 13).