“Plans are afoot to send the show to Japan, Germany, Canada, Australia and the US. The challenge was finding talent among young boys in potential host countries. In the UK, auditions are still ongoing, with a casting director seeing children every two weeks around the country. This year in London, the musical – which contains the unusual conceit of tapdancing coal miners – will feature its first non-white Billys, set to take their places among the rota of seven young boys who share the role.”