Billy Elliot - young and old

Stockport-born 12-year-old Noah Mannion will be one of four boys playing the title role in musical Billy Elliot at the Manchester Palace from December 2-January 19 - while Liam Mower, who won an Olivier award as the original Billy in the 2005 London

premiere will return to play "Older Billy".

Billy Elliott composer Elton John with the four Billies: l-r William Gurney, Spencer Collins, Noah Mannion from Stockport and Rafferty Smale. Pic: Justine Matthews

Noah is one of four boys chosen to alternate in the starring role for a tour that starts at the Sunderland Empire (November 4-26). He has loved singing and dancing from an early age and began training in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics and singing when he was just nine. Last year, after only two years of competitive dancing, he represented England at both the Dance World Cup and the Global Dance Open, where he won multiple medals and the Global World Champion title.

Liam Mower - one of the original Billies, now returning

Since 2011 Liam has been dancing with Billy Elliot choreographer Matthew Bourne’s company New Adventures. He recently played Mr Mistoffelees in the international tour of the musical Cats and was also nominated for a Critics’ Circle National Dance award for Outstanding Male Dancer (Modern).

Based on the multi BAFTA award-winning and Academy Award nominated film, Billy Elliot is set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984-85 miners’ strike, and follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class - where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community.

The show can also be seen at th Sunderland Empire from November 4-28.

More info and tickets here