Note: Redmand’s Final Performance as Billy in London was on May 10, 2014
Debut: Aug. 22, 2012 (London)
Total Performances as Billy: 176.5 (includes 7 partial shows credited @.5 ea)
From North Boarhunt, Fareham (which is in Hampshire, England), 12-year-old Redmand Rance (D.O.B. = 23-Aug-2000) was the 31st Billy to star in BETM on the Victoria Palace Theatre (VPT) stage at his debut on August 22, 2012. Redmand, who attends Boundary Oak Prep School in Fareham, is also the 67th Billy world-wide to appear in the show, now in its 8th year in London.
Like many of the boys who have played Billy, Redmand began dancing at a very young age – in his case at just four-years-old. His dance preparation has been at the Marie Clarke School of Dance where he has studied tap, modern, jazz and ballet. Also like many of the other Billys, Redmand has earned several awards for his dancing. Included in those awards was first place with his partner in Modern Duet in July 2011 at the All England Dance Finals.
Previous theatre credits include regional productions of Dance to the Rhythm and Oliver!, the latter in which he played the title role. Both shows were presented at Kings Theatre in Portsmouth. And, in February of 2012, just before his training for BETM began in earnest, Redmand appeared as the Young Cosmo in the West End production of Singin’ in the Rain. It was about that time while performing in Singin’ in the Rain that Redmand learned that he had been offered the title role in BETM for which he had previously auditioned.
Redmand actually had prior experience as Billy Elliot when he was chosen for the West End production of BETM, having played the title role in the 2011 STP Musicals production, which was done in association with Billy Youth Theatre. Redmand was chosen to perform the role in Electricity at the Billy Youth Theatre Gala at the VPT in July, which included getting to perform in the Finale of the Gala with the four Billys playing the role professionally at the West End theatre at the time — Scott McKenzie, Ryan Collinson, Josh Baker and Dean-Charles Chapman.
Redmand Performs in the Finale of the Billy Youth Theatre Gala
After he was living with the other young BETM cast members at the “Billy House” and in full training mode in preparation for his debut as Billy, Redmand was invited to join in the festivities at a Gala on May 30, 2012 when the production celebrated 3000 shows and its 7th Birthday in the West End.
Redmand Joins the 5 London Billys at the May 30, 2012 Gala
Credit: Photo by Dan Wooller/wooller.com
All of the cast are asked to promote the show in the media from time to time. On Friday, October 25, 2013, Redmand and Zach Atkinson (Michael) performed a modified version of Expressing Yourself on the popular UK television program “The Alan Titchmarsh Show”:
http://https://youtu.be/5AzUn-J5gb8
Credit: Video by tomchitling
In January of 2014, BETMUK began releasing a series of “Meet the Billys” videos about the then four current Billys. As senior Billy, Redmand’s was the first released in that series:
http://https://youtu.be/z1WtAqLFASA
Credit: Video by BETMUK
Many of us never realize our life’s dreams, or do so late in life. In his biography on StarNow.co.uk, written before his debut in Singin’ in the Rain, Redmand said “My dream would be to play ‘Billy Elliot’.” With his debut as Billy, Redmand fulfilled his dream at age 12 and London audiences are the beneficiaries of this tremendous young talent.
For more information about Redmand Rance, visit:
Billy Elliot the Forum, Redmand Rance Billy Elliot Appreciation Society
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