Meet four young boys called Billy...

They are about to become overnight theatrical sensations in the smash hit musical Billy Elliot, which opens at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney on December 13. In their own words, we meet the four young boys about to take on the role of their young lives...

	RHYS KOSAKOWSKI - NEWCASTLE I’m Rhys Kosakowski from Newcastle, where I live with my mum, dad, and younger sister Chenelle. I’ve always been athletic and began dancing at an early age. I enjoy all types of dance - ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop and for three years I also competed in gymnastics. My first professional experience came when my family and I found out about an open audition for the Queensland Ballet Company. I got in and performed in their production of The Nutcracker, which helped to develop my dance technique. When my family and I heard there were auditions for Billy Elliot in Newcastle I was thrilled to get an audition. After many months of intense dancing, singing, and dialect training I learned that I would have the opportunity to play the role of Billy. During this whole process I’ve met so many interesting and wonderful people who have taught me many things to better my passion and I’m sure I will learn a lot more. So a big thank you to Stephen Daldry, Jon Finn and Peter Darling for allowing me the opportunity to be in this wonderful production, and an even bigger thank you to my mum, dad, grandma and all my dance teachers for believing in me and putting in so much extra effort, without you, I wouldn’t have this great opportunity and wouldn’t of been able to fulfil my dream.
	LOCHLAN DENHOLM - MELBOURNE The Billy Elliot experience so far has been exciting, challenging and lots of fun. My name is Lochlan Denholm and I‘m 13 years old. I live with my mum, dad and older sister Minna in Melbourne, Victoria. I have always been interested in sport and music and been diving and doing gymnastics since I was six. At eight years of age I stopped diving and focused on gymnastics, representing Victoria at the 2005 National Championships in Sydney. It was during 2005 that I started thinking about dance and took up funk and tap at the Gay Wightman School, then in 2006 I began classical ballet. There are many people to thank for getting me to this stage. All the London team - especially Julian for giving me strength to believe in myself. All the crew at LRC, particularly Rachel. Leigh Rowles from the Australian Ballet School, the tap teachers at Centrestage, the fantastic Dioni, Mrs Finney and Sharon (where it all began). My gymnastic coaches who have no doubt put me in good stead for the stamina and energy required for the role of Billy. I want to thank Steve for voice training and a huge thank you to Tom and Gerry. Last but not least, my parents, extended family and to Minna who sat in dingy dance halls and gave up her time so I could have this opportunity and fulfil a dream.
	NICK TWINEY - SYDNEY Hi, I’m Nick Twiney – pronounced “ Twinee” – I’m 14 years old and live in Sydney with my mum and dad and my 18-year old brother Chris. I became interested in dance when I was 10. I started dance lessons at Shore, my all boys school. My friend Jack and I then started taking lessons to learn jazz, tap, acrobatics, modern and contemporary dancing and I really enjoyed it so now it’s my passion. I became an interstate associate of the Australian Ballet School in 2006 and started to do well in dance eisteddfods. In 2005 I came second in my age group in a competition called Australian Dance Idol and won a very nice trophy – a pity as the girl who came first won $4,000. However, the producers of the film Razzle Dazzle saw my performance and cast me as Tyson, the only boy dancer in the film. The film was released in early 2007. My brother Chris is very keen on my dancing as I’m now surrounded by attractive girls – a bit of a change from school. I have enjoyed auditioning for Billy and meeting the incredible creative team and the other boys involved. I look forward to fulfilling my dream of appearing on stage in such a great show as Billy Elliot.
	RARMIAN NEWTON - MELBOURNE My name is Rarmian Newton and I am 13 years old. I have been dancing since I was 5, starting at Brent St Studios in Sydney. When I was 8, I moved to Melbourne and started studying dance, drama, musical theatre and singing at Centrestage Performing Arts School. Last year I was accepted into the dance program at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) where I am currently in Year 8. I have been lucky to have had a number of wonderful professional opportunities. In 2005 I starred in a US telemovie based on a set of Stephen King short stories. I also sang the National Anthem at the 2005 Wizard Cup Grand Final in front of 35,000 people and I was a state finalist in Junior Australian Idol. In 2006, I performed as a flying acrobatic koala at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games then I was cast as one of four boys playing the role of Young Peter in The Boy From Oz with Hugh Jackman. The most exciting thing that has happened to me so far is being cast as Billy in the Sydney season of Billy Elliot the Musical. Like Billy, I just love to dance (and sing) and I can’t wait to be out on stage performing. I would like to thank all my teachers at VCASS and Centrestage, without whom this opportunity would not have been possible, as well as my parents, two sisters and brother who have supported my dream of becoming Billy Elliot.