Why did the aussie version of Billy Elliot the Musical need 2 new Billys???

Question:Well, The boy was around 13 years old...and unfortunatly, thats when boys here in the land of oz begin to mature, he began to get pimples, and went beyond the the "beutifful" oppinons of the critics and judges....so, they looked for new obnes.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Well, The boy was around 13 years old...and unfortunatly, thats when boys here in the land of oz begin to mature, he began to get pimples, and went beyond the the "beutifful" oppinons of the critics and judges....so, they looked for new obnes.

Because the Australians rules and laws say that a child under 16 cannot do a full time part, so they have to cast 2 or even 3 so that they can be legal. i also could be because they have got to get a new billy and a new understudy. but the first one is much more reliable.

Most shows that use kids dual cast the roles. They probably cast 2 Michaels as well. The Broadway run of Les Miz had 2 boy and 3 girls alternating the 1 boy and 2 girl parts (young Eponine doesn't say anything). Currently both Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid have dual cast the children roles (Michael and Jane in MP, and Flounder in TLM) on Broadway.