Liam Mower
Encyclopedia
Liam Mower is an English
actor
and dancer. Best known for his talent for ballet, he was one of the three boys who shared the lead role in the original London cast of Billy Elliot the Musical
. He is also the youngest person ever to win a Laurence Olivier Award.
. His father is an engineer
, and his mother works in a sandwich
shop. Liam has three brothers, (Luke, Lewis and Leighton). He became a boarding pupil at the Royal Ballet School
(RBS) whilst still auditioning for Billy Elliot, but later scaled down his connection to it, in order to be able to meet his professional commitments without losing out on quality of life. Liam also attended the Northern Academy of performing arts (NAPA) in Kingston upon Hull, but now studies at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in Twickenham. Before taking up his place at Rambert, he was also offered a place at the London Studio Centre.
video of Electricity and was featured in the BBC's Children in Need
on 18 November 2005 performing Electricity. He also made several television appearances, such as his famed appearances on Blue Peter
. Liam made his final scheduled appearance in Billy Elliot on 30 September 2006. His departure was covered by the local and international press, as it spelt the end of the original child cast of 'Billys'. A dedication was made by the cast on his final performance, and he was presented with a dog, named "Billy". Upon his departure, Stephen Daldry
stated that "Liam is a unique talent and we have all been blessed with the opportunity to see him flourish in Billy Elliot over the past eighteen months. Rarely does one ever come across a performer with so many skills and talents, particularly when matched by Liam’s determination and good humour. He has been at the centre of Billy Elliot’s extended family for three and a half years now and his last performance will be an overwhelmingly emotional evening. As Liam hurtles towards adulthood we will be saying goodbye to one of the most celebrated child performers ever in the West End. An end of an era for us and the beginning of another huge adventure for Liam."
He returned home to Archbishop Thurstan School ( now Archbishop Sentamu academy for science), Hull, to study for GCSEs, but made a brief return to Billy Elliot on 22 November 2006, performing in a charity gala for the children's charity Place2Be. During the show he was joined by both Elton John and the X-factor
judging panel who made cameo appearances as the RBS panel.
Mower's career after Billy Elliot
was somewhat calmer, but he still kept up theatrical activities. He appeared as a minor part in October 2006 in Thoroughly Modern Millie
at Hull New Theatre, and subsequently made an appearance in the popular ITV Crime Series, Wire in the Blood
playing the part of Mikey. His most recent work has been his appearance as the title character in Pinocchio
during Christmas 2007 at The Priestley
Theatre in Bradford. He also appeared on the soundtrack to Pinocchio which is available on iTunes
.
Mower recently stated that he would like to return to the West End stage, he personally stated he was taking singing lessons. He did very well at his GCSE's with 14 grades from A* to C. Mower also previously stated that he would like to be a dancer before being an actor: "After I have got my degree at the school I would like to join a dance company and then go into acting a bit later. It makes sense to do it that way round."
and George Maguire
, the Theatre Goers’ Choice Award 2005 for The Most Promising Newcomer. And on 26 February 2006 Liam, James Lomas and George Maguire received a Laurence Olivier Award for their performances in the musical, making them the first to win one in a shared capacity. This makes Liam the youngest ever winner of this award. Liam also baggad a Critics' Cirle Award the same month for Best Newcomer.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and dancer. Best known for his talent for ballet, he was one of the three boys who shared the lead role in the original London cast of Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
. He is also the youngest person ever to win a Laurence Olivier Award.
Early years
Liam is from Kingston upon HullKingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
. His father is an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, and his mother works in a sandwich
Sandwich
A sandwich is a food item, typically consisting of two or more slices of :bread with one or more fillings between them, or one slice of bread with a topping or toppings, commonly called an open sandwich. Sandwiches are a widely popular type of lunch food, typically taken to work or school, or...
shop. Liam has three brothers, (Luke, Lewis and Leighton). He became a boarding pupil at the Royal Ballet School
Royal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London...
(RBS) whilst still auditioning for Billy Elliot, but later scaled down his connection to it, in order to be able to meet his professional commitments without losing out on quality of life. Liam also attended the Northern Academy of performing arts (NAPA) in Kingston upon Hull, but now studies at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in Twickenham. Before taking up his place at Rambert, he was also offered a place at the London Studio Centre.
Career
Liam's first performance was on Press night (11 May 2005) and he continued performing until the end of September 2006. He also appeared in the Elton JohnElton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
video of Electricity and was featured in the BBC's Children in Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
on 18 November 2005 performing Electricity. He also made several television appearances, such as his famed appearances on Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
. Liam made his final scheduled appearance in Billy Elliot on 30 September 2006. His departure was covered by the local and international press, as it spelt the end of the original child cast of 'Billys'. A dedication was made by the cast on his final performance, and he was presented with a dog, named "Billy". Upon his departure, Stephen Daldry
Stephen Daldry
Stephen David Daldry, CBE is an English theatre and film director and producer, as well as a three-time Academy Award nominated and Tony Award winning director.-Early years:...
stated that "Liam is a unique talent and we have all been blessed with the opportunity to see him flourish in Billy Elliot over the past eighteen months. Rarely does one ever come across a performer with so many skills and talents, particularly when matched by Liam’s determination and good humour. He has been at the centre of Billy Elliot’s extended family for three and a half years now and his last performance will be an overwhelmingly emotional evening. As Liam hurtles towards adulthood we will be saying goodbye to one of the most celebrated child performers ever in the West End. An end of an era for us and the beginning of another huge adventure for Liam."
He returned home to Archbishop Thurstan School ( now Archbishop Sentamu academy for science), Hull, to study for GCSEs, but made a brief return to Billy Elliot on 22 November 2006, performing in a charity gala for the children's charity Place2Be. During the show he was joined by both Elton John and the X-factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
judging panel who made cameo appearances as the RBS panel.
Mower's career after Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot is a 2000 British drama film written by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry. Set in the fictional town of "Everington" in the real County Durham, UK, it stars Jamie Bell as 11-year-old Billy, an aspiring dancer, Gary Lewis as his coal miner father, Jamie Draven as Billy's older...
was somewhat calmer, but he still kept up theatrical activities. He appeared as a minor part in October 2006 in Thoroughly Modern Millie
Thoroughly Modern Millie (musical)
Thoroughly Modern Millie is a musical with music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Scanlan. Based on the 1967 film of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York City to marry for...
at Hull New Theatre, and subsequently made an appearance in the popular ITV Crime Series, Wire in the Blood
Wire in the Blood
Wire in the Blood was a British crime drama television series, devised and produced by Coastal Productions for the ITV network that ran from 2002 to 2009. The series is based on characters created by Val McDermid; a university clinical psychologist, Dr Anthony "Tony" Valentine Hill , is teamed with...
playing the part of Mikey. His most recent work has been his appearance as the title character in Pinocchio
Pinocchio
The Adventures of Pinocchio is a novel for children by Italian author Carlo Collodi, written in Florence. The first half was originally a serial between 1881 and 1883, and then later completed as a book for children in February 1883. It is about the mischievous adventures of Pinocchio , an...
during Christmas 2007 at The Priestley
The Priestley
Bradford Playhouse is a 290 seat proscenium arch theatre with circle and stall seating based in Little Germany, in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
Theatre in Bradford. He also appeared on the soundtrack to Pinocchio which is available on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
.
Mower recently stated that he would like to return to the West End stage, he personally stated he was taking singing lessons. He did very well at his GCSE's with 14 grades from A* to C. Mower also previously stated that he would like to be a dancer before being an actor: "After I have got my degree at the school I would like to join a dance company and then go into acting a bit later. It makes sense to do it that way round."
Awards
He won, jointly with James LomasJames Lomas
James Jacob-Lomas is a British Olivier Award-winning actor best known for his role as Billy Elliot in Billy Elliot the Musical....
and George Maguire
George Maguire (actor)
George Maguire is an English actor and one of the three original cast members who carried the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical.-Career:...
, the Theatre Goers’ Choice Award 2005 for The Most Promising Newcomer. And on 26 February 2006 Liam, James Lomas and George Maguire received a Laurence Olivier Award for their performances in the musical, making them the first to win one in a shared capacity. This makes Liam the youngest ever winner of this award. Liam also baggad a Critics' Cirle Award the same month for Best Newcomer.