Billie-Kay is currently playing Nicola in the limited run of Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum, working with a cast including Matt Cardle (Charlie Price), Johannes Radebe (Lola) and Courtney Bowman (Lauren), with Kinky Boots booking until Saturday 11th July. Over the most recent festive period, Billie-Kay played Jasmine in Aladdin at Newcastle Theatre Royal, and she was part of the 2025 Japan Tour of A Chorus Line as Val Clarke. In the world premiere of Burlesque, Billie-Kay originated the role of Sophia at Theatre Royal Glasgow, Manchester Opera House and the West End transfer at the Savoy Theatre, and she previously played Lily St. Regis in the UK Tour of Annie, and won Best Supporting Female Actor in a Musical at the 2023 Black British Theatre Awards for her portrayal of Lily. For Billie-Kay’s first professional role, she starred as Dale Tremont in Top Hat in 2022 and 2023 at The Mill at Sonning, and her further musicals include Anything Goes, Funny Girl and 42nd Street. On screen, Billie-Kay has been in the casts of the live-action Disney films Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Disenchanted. Speaking with Billie-Kay, she told us about playing Nicola in the current run of Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum, her time on the Japan Tour of A Chorus Line, originating the role of Sophie in Burlesque and performing in Annie and Top Hat.
Had you seen Kinky Boots on stage or screen before booking your role of Nicola in the current run of the musical at the London Coliseum, and was there anything that drew you to the show and character?
I actually saw the original production at the Adelphi. My reason for going was because a good friend of mine was the understudy for Lola. At the time, my sole reason for going was to show support, but in actual fact I left the theatre full of joy. I absolutely loved the show and the music, and I feel very fortunate to be part of this new revival. I’m also from Northampton, where the show is set!
What is Nicola like to play and what are you enjoying most about performing at the London Coliseum?
Nicola is a fun part to play; she is a strong, driven, ambitious woman. I have chosen to make her extra driven in my version of her. I guess she is kind of a villain, but I see her as a modern-day woman, out there trying to make the most of her chances in life. The Coliseum is huge; it was extremely terrifying at first, but the buzz at the end of the show is unmatched.
Can you tell us about Kinky Boots and why would you recommend booking tickets to see the show?
I would recommend coming to see Kinky Boots because it is a feel-good piece of theatre with a powerful message of acceptant. I feel the world really needs this right now.
How is it working with your fellow cast members and have you worked with any of them previously?
I love my fellow cast members and team. They really are a special group of people. Many of them I have come across in the industry and worked with on other shows. I feel very lucky to have such a supportive group around me.
Do you have a favourite scene/song in the musical (either with or without Nicola), and what is it like telling the Kinky Boots story?
My favourite Nicola scene has to be the Richard Bailey scene, where Nicola first discovers Lola. The audience’s reaction gets me every night. Plus, that’s the only time I have with the wonderful JoJo (Radebe), and although Nicola doesn’t approve of Lola, it’s great to be next to him during that moment.
With Kinky Boots open at the London Coliseum until Saturday 11th July, what are you looking forward to for continuing in the show for the limited run?
I look forward to spreading the message of joy for the rest of the run. If the audiences leave happy, I will certainly be happy!
Over the 2025 Christmas season, you played Princess Jasmine at Newcastle Theatre Royal for their pantomime Aladdin, what are pantomimes like to be part of?
Pantomimes are always great fun. I am really lucky that Crossroads Entertainment have been really good to me. It’s not bad being a princess either!
How did you find the experience touring with A Chorus Line in Japan last year as Val Clarke?
A Chorus Line was a dream show and also a dream role! I absolutely loved taking the show to Japan and playing Val was a total joy. You can have so much fun with her. I still can’t believe I got to do that; I would love to revisit it! It feels like I blinked and missed it. The Japanese audiences were wonderful.
You originated the role of Sophia in Burlesque at Theatre Royal Glasgow, Manchester Opera House and for the West End transfer at the Savoy Theatre, what was it like being involved with the world premiere production?
Burlesque was also up there as a career highlight, and originating the role of Sophia was a total joy. She was really relatable as a character. She’s the dancer that falls pregnant – dancing with a pregnancy bump took some getting used to, but I actually really miss my fake baby bump!
How was your time playing Lily St. Regis in the Annie UK Tour, and what are some of your stand-out highlights from working on the show?
Lily St. Regis was another dream role. Annie was always one of my favourite films, and Lily was so fun and out there! She’s a true villain in every sense, and playing opposite Paul French, one of my best friends, was a dream. I also got to travel to some really cool places I probably wouldn’t have ever visited if I hadn’t been on tour.
How did it feel winning Best Supporting Female Actor in a Musical at the 2023 Black British Theatre Awards for your portrayal of Lily?
Winning Best Supporting Female Actor at the Black British Theatre Awards was a breathtaking moment. It was an honour to be nominated; I didn’t think for a second that I would honestly win. It was a blessing. I’ll still never forget that day – my mum and sister were there too. I’ll always be grateful to the BBTAs for that time and platform.
What was it like starring in Top Hat as Dale Tremont for two runs at The Mill at Sonning in 2022 and 2023 and how was it getting into character?
Top Hat at The Mill at Sonning was my first role. I will always be so thankful to The Mill and to the creative team for that opportunity. Playing Dale in a small, intimate theatre I have to say, for me, was harder and felt more exposing. To this day, I still feel that was my most challenging role. The vocal is hard, and the dancing was hard – I learned so much from working there.
Do you have any favourite memories from your further musical theatre projects, which have included Anything Goes as Charity at the Barbican Centre, Funny Girl in Paris in 2019 and 42nd Street (on tour as Phyllis and in the West End as Diane Lorimer) that you can share?
I feel like all jobs have their special part to play in making the experience memorable. Every job I remember for totally different reasons. Some I get to travel for, and some I get to remain in one place. I feel like every job I have done, I have managed to find either a friend or a memory that will stay with me forever.
On screen, you have been part of the feature films Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Disenchanted, how different did you find being on set of these live-action Disney adaptations opposed to working on a musical theatre show?
Films are certainly a totally different ballgame to theatre. I think what I love most about theatre is that you get the live reactions from the audience and that validation that we will naturally look for as performers. With film, you get the payoff when you actually watch the movie. I salute screen and movie actors because there is a lot of standing around and waiting for shots to be set up, which is fine, but I feel like you reap the benefits months or even years later.
Was there anything that inspired you to become a performer and how did you get into it?
I have so many inspirations and have grown up watching so many great performers. I feel like I have always loved it so much, and I feel so lucky to have managed to have ticked so many boxes in my career. I wasn’t particularly academic and have always felt more comfortable in creative work.
What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch, and are there any you’d like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?
My favourite show is Gypsy! I love the story and the music. It’s quite hard to watch musicals when you are working, but right now, I would really like to see Oh, Mary!.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I like to spend my free time going to the gym – it really clears my mind. It’s time I get alone, which is precious when working in a theatrical environment – although I still wouldn’t change it. I am also not ashamed to admit that I am a sucker for reality TV, like Married at First Sight and Love Island.
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