James Lomas
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James Lomas (born March 1, 1990) is one of the three original cast of the carrying title role of Billy Elliot the Musical who were involved in the development of the role of “Billy” from the very beginning, and contributed to the overwhelming success of the show by outstanding performances in acting, singing and dancing. James has a brother (Adam). James originally left the cast on September 17, 2005 after his voice broke and was replaced by Leon Cooke. However, he returned to the cast on October 28, 2005 when the three Billys (Liam Mower, George Maguire and Leon Cooke) were down to two as a result of an illness. He continued performing until January 7, 2006. Together with his two original mates Liam Mower and George Maguire, alternating in the role of “Billy”, he performed again in a spectacular first anniversary Gala show on May 12, 2006.
James was featured in Strictly Dance Fever performing part of the Musical finale, and in several TV interviews and short clips related to the Musical. In July 2006 he played the title role of young blind Nicholas Saunderson in the new musical "No Horizon" in Penistone / Northern England and was much acclaimed for his outstanding performances.
He has won the Variety Club’s 2005 Outstanding New Talent award, and, jointly with Liam Mower and George Maguire, the Theatre Goers‘ Choice Award 2005 for The Most Promising Newcomer, as well as - unique in British theatre history - again jointly with his two mates, the most prestigious Sir Laurence Olivier Award 2006 for Best Actor in a Musical. It is partly due to their outstanding performances, that Billy Elliot the Musical has won several awards: The Evening Standard Award 2005, the Critics‘ Circle Theatre Award 2005, the Theatre Goers‘ Choice Award 2005, and the Sir Laurence Olivier Award 2006, all for best British Musical.
James got a place at the prestigious dance and drama school "Millennium" in London, where he started his studies from September 2006 onwards.