THE multi award-winning smash hit Billy Elliot the Musical is currently being performed at the Wales Millennium Centre as part of its first ever UK tour.

Based on the highly successful film, the show is set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984/85 miners’ strike and follows Billy’s journey from boxing to ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.

It stars four young boys who will alternate the title role. They are Adam Abbou (12 years old from Liverpool), Matthew Lyons (11 years old from Leeds), Haydn May (11 years old from Bath) and Lewis Smallman (12 years old from West Bromwich).

Adam trained at Nazene Danielle’s Dance Dynamix and has competed in various regional and national dance championships. He has previously appeared as Jerome in South Pacific and Nibs in Peter Pan, both at the Liverpool Empire.

Matthew trained at the West Yorkshire School of Performing Arts and has previously appeared in Matthew Bourne’s production of Lord of the Flies at the Bradford Alhambra. Haydn trained at the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing and is a member of Tap Attack in Swindon and the Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club. He has appeared as Chip in Beauty and the Beast, Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz and Michael in Peter Pan, all at the Theatre Royal, Bath.

Lewis trained at Arabesque Dance Academy and Renaissance Arts. He has appeared in the English Youth Ballet’s Swan Lake and as Kurt in The Sound of Music at Sutton Town Hall. He is also a keen gymnast with Sandwell Flyers Gymnastic Academy.

The four young stars are among a total of 90 boys who have played the iconic role of Billy Elliot on stage.

The show also stars Annette McLaughlin as Mrs Wilkinson, Martin Walsh as Dad, Scott Garnham as Tony and Andrea Miller as Grandma. Llanelli actress and singer Amy Rhiannon-Worth, an Aberystwyth University drama graduate, also makes an appearance in the ensemble.

Billy Elliot the Musical is brought to life by the multiple award-winning creative team behind the film including writer Lee Hall (book and lyrics), director Stephen Daldry and choreographer, Peter Darling, joined by Elton John who composed the show’s score.

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.

It is presented by Universal Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions and is based on the Universal Pictures/Studio Canal film. The show is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are executive producers.

The show runs until July 16 and to book tickets or for more information visit wmc.org.uk or call 029 2063 6464.