LEADGATE’S MINI MINER LOLA STRIKES GOLD WITH WEST END ROLE IN BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

10-year-old star of Snow White at The Roxy Theatre Leadgate cast as iconic Debbie in the UK Tour and West End production of Elton John’s award-winning musical

A young performer from County Durham is celebrating a dream opportunity after being cast in one of the UK’s most celebrated musicals.

10-year-old Lola, who captured audiences’ hearts as Grumbly the Mini Miner in last year’s historic pantomime Snow White at The Roxy Theatre Leadgate, has been successfully cast as Debbie in the upcoming UK Tour and West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical, featuring music and lyrics by global superstar Elton John.

Lola’s achievement marks an incredible milestone in her young performing career and highlights the wealth of emerging talent being nurtured across the North East.

Produced by Reece Sibbald Productions Ltd, Snow White was the first professional pantomime to be staged at The Roxy Theatre Leadgate in its history following the venue’s transformation into a modern performance space. As part of the production, Lola was one of 14 young performers selected to become the venue’s first ever Mini Miners, sharing the stage alongside a professional cast and gaining invaluable experience in a full-scale theatre production.

Her performance as Grumbly earned praise from audiences throughout the Christmas run, with the Mini Miners becoming one of the highlights of the production. The initiative was created to provide young performers from the region with the opportunity to experience professional theatre, develop their confidence and discover where their passion for performing could take them.

Alongside her pantomime success, Lola has also been developing her skills through Creative Allsorts NE CIC, a North East-based musical theatre training programme for ages 4–16+, founded to provide accessible opportunities for young people to sing, dance and act while building confidence, creativity and performance skills.

The success of the Mini Miners programme has already inspired further opportunities, with Reece Sibbald Productions’ upcoming Christmas pantomime The Little Mermaid at The Roxy Theatre Leadgate, running from 12^th-28^th December 2026, set to once again provide opportunities for young emerging performers from across the region.

Following the success of Snow White, the company will welcome 24 children into the professional pantomime production, giving them the chance to work alongside industry professionals, experience the demands of a professional theatre environment and take their first steps towards future opportunities in the performing arts.

For Lola, that opportunity has already opened an exciting new chapter.

Billy Elliot the Musical will begin performances at Sunderland Empire from 4^th-28^th November 2026, before embarking on a UK Tour and continuing into London’s West End.

Quote from Reece Sibbald Productions Ltd

Reece Sibbald, Producer of Snow White, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud of Lola. Watching her grow as a performer during Snow White was a privilege, and her performance as Grumbly the Mini Miner showed exactly why creating these opportunities for young people is so important.

“The Mini Miners were never just about putting children on stage; they were about giving young performers a genuine experience of working in a professional theatre environment, building confidence, learning new skills and showing them what might be possible.

“Lola embraced every challenge, brought so much personality to the role and proved that talent can come from anywhere. Seeing her now secure a role in Billy Elliot the Musical is a huge achievement and a wonderful reminder of what can happen when young people are given the right support and opportunities.”

Quote from Director of Creative Allsorts NE CIC

Rebecca Lightburn, Director of Creative Allsorts NE CIC, said:

“We couldn’t be prouder of Lola and we can’t wait to see her shine. We hope her journey inspires other young performers across the North East to follow their dreams too.”