Ruthie Henshall to join cast of Billy Elliot the Musical
 Olivier award-winner will return to West End after three years away when she takes up role of Mrs Wilkinson in May Olivier award-winner Ruthie Henshall is to join the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical in May, marking the show's ninth anniversary in the West End. The musical-theatre star will step into the role of Mrs Wilkinson, Billy's ballet teacher, taking over from Anna-Jane Casey at the Victoria Palace theatre. In Stephen Daldry's original film, the part was played by Julie Walters, while Haydn Gwynne originated the role in the musical. More than 9.5 million people have seen the show since it opened in 2005 to ecstatic reviews, before going on to win four Olivier awards, including best new musical. Its current booking period, which was recently extended until 16 May 2015, will see Daldry's production sail through its decade anniversary. Henshall is one of the most popular musical-theatre performers working in Britain today. She has been nominated for five Olivier awards, winning one in 1995 for her turn as Amalia in Jerry Bock's musical She Loves Me – which shares its source material, the Hungarian play Parfumerie, with the Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan film You've Got Mail. Henshall was last seen on the West End stage three years ago, playing Elvira in Thea Sharrock's production of Blithe Spirit at the Apollo theatre. Since making her West End debut in 1987, she has done stints in Chicago (as both Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart), Oliver! and The Woman in White. With her first performance set for 12 May, Henshall joins a cast that already includes Deka Walmsley and Ann Emery as Billy's father and grandmother respectively. theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds |
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