| Double joy as Irish boys dance to
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YOUNG Irish boy is set to dance his way to stardom as he takes centre
stage in London’s hit musical Billy Elliot this Christmas.
Seven-year-old Danny Delaney fought fierce national competition to secure
the hugely-popular role and he started earlier this month at the Queen’s
National Theatre.
The Essex-based schoolboy also joins lead Dean McCarthy from Dublin to
tread the boards.
His mum Rita — who hails from Co. Mayo — said Danny has amazed
his family by being picked for the demanding role.
She said: “I’m so proud. It doesn’t really hit you at
first and then you suddenly realise that your boy’s going to be
on stage. And his excitement affects you.
“He’s just taking it in his stride like he belongs there.
He keeps on showing us his moves again and again.
“I work too so I was worried about balancing his new world with
mine — but so far it’s all ok. I’m just glad he’s
enjoying it.”
Danny has been attending the Collins School of Performing Arts on Tuesday
and Thursday evenings for just six months.
 Danny’s father
Chris was overjoyed at his only son’s lead role — as opposed
to the storyline in Billy Elliott where his father is most disapproving
of his dancing dreams.
Rita said her Sligo-born husband was ecstatic. “He went to the auditions
with Billy and was there when he got down to the last five.
“He was pleased with just that but then the next day they phoned
us to say Danny got the role — we couldn’t believe it.”
Danny now has to balance school life at St. Peter’s in Essex with
his performances at the theatre.
And although such a work schedule must be a challenge for anyone his mother
Rita says Danny thrives on his new life.
She said: “I think he really wants to make a career out of performing
now. He’s got a buzz for it and really loves what he’s doing.”
The show has been running since March 2005 and 14-year-old Dean McCarthy
who hails from Clondalkin plays the lead Billy.
Dean moved to London especially for the role he started in May when original
star Liam Mower left the show.
Its success in London means the show has opened in America and is due
to open in Australia in 2008.
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