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    Meet Billy Elliot: Ben Shieff

    Note: Ben’s final show as Billy in the Auckland Theatre Company production of Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) was on December 10, 2016.

    Debut: October 7, 2016 (Auckland, New Zealand)

    Total Performances as Billy:  22.5  (Includes one partial show credited @.5)

    Ben Shieff Thumb

    Ben Shieff was 14-years-old when he debuted as Billy in the Auckland Theatre Company production of Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM). Ben is from Auckland, and is in his first year at Western Springs College.

    Ben practising his ballet at Billy Boot Camp
    Ben practising his ballet at Billy Boot Camp (Photo by Justin Gregory)

    Ben has always been interested in music, but dance is quite new to him. When he was at primary school Ben became the lead vocalist and guitarist in the rock band, and also won an award for Choir Excellence and a cup for Performing Arts.

    Ben’s previous performing experience includes playing The Wizard of Oz in a school production of The Wiz, and, in 2015, performing Angie on stage with The Peter Urlich Group in A Strange Days Night at the Auckland Town Hall.

    He also writes his own songs and won ‘Best Original Lyrics’ for his song Push on Through at Auckland Rockshop Bandquest.

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    Ben Shieff (Billy) and Daniel Bridgman (Michael) rehearse “Express Yourself”

    Since the age of five Ben has been learning Combined Martial Arts, and he got his black belt when he was just 12-years-old. Before auditioning for BETM Ben had never danced and so, having impressively been cast in the lead role, he has spent 2016 working hard to learn all the skills needed to play Billy – ballet, tap and acrobatics.

    In the summer of 2016 Ben attended a Billy Boot Camp with the other Billys and also the Michaels, where they had intensive lessons and rehearsals so that they could learn all the dance routines needed for the show.

    Ben’s first performance as Billy was on 7-Oct-2016, and with his debut he became the 162nd actor worldwide to play the role of Billy. 

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    Ben Shieff is Billy Elliot

    For more information about Ben Shieff visit:

    Billy Elliot the Forum

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