Until Saturday 11th July, Billy Roberts is playing Don in Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum alongside Matt Cardle as Charlie Price, Johannes Radebe as Lola and Courtney Bowman as Lauren, with Kinky Boots directed by Nikolai Foster, and Billy reprises his role from the 2025/26 European Tour. Last year, Billy originated the roles of Dale/Simon/Andy in Military Wives – The Musical at York Theatre Royal where he worked with Debbie Isitt (who wrote and directed the production), and he worked with her previously on I Should Be So Lucky as Nathan and Nativity! in 2019 as Ensemble and cover Mr Maddens and Mr Poppy and in 2022 as Mr Maddens. Also in 2025, Billy was in the world premiere of Maiden Voyage at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, and his further roles include Alternate Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire in Mrs. Doubtfire at Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End, William McMaster Murdoch in Titanic the Musical, and he was in the casts of Our House and Rock of Ages. Catching up with Billy, we found out from him about reprising his role of Don in Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum, working with Debbie Isitt on a number of musicals and being Alternate Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire in Mrs. Doubtfire in the West End.

You are in the cast of Kinky Boots for their limited run at the London Coliseum until Saturday 11th July playing Don; how would you describe Don and what is the character like to play?

Don is a character who is perceived as the villain, but he isn’t really – he’s just ignorant, as he has lived the same life since he left school. He’s never been around anyone like Lola before. I love playing the role of Don because it shows anyone can change their outlook on life by just listening and making a change themselves.

How is it performing alongside your fellow cast members and having the rebooted show open at the London Coliseum?

Every night, coming out, I still pinch myself. The first day, our director took us all to the top of the auditorium, and that’s when I realised how lucky we are, and how special this theatre is.

How has the run been going so far and what is it like seeing the audience response to the musical?

The audience go bonkers for the show. Every night the audiences are just amazing, and it makes it even easier to be up there and perform this amazing show.

Is there anything you are looking forward to most for continuing in Kinky Boots until the musical closes in July, and who do you think the show will appeal to?

I think the show appeals to anyone! I really believe anyone can watch the show and take something away from it. I enjoy every show and can’t wait to keep doing it all through the summer in this amazing theatre.

You are reprising your role, having played Don on the European Tour from October 2025 to February 2026, what was the tour like to be part of?

The tour was crazy really because we went to all these different venues and countries, and still the audiences reacted in such a positive and emotional way. It was extremely special to see such a British show resonate with all different types of people.

For the 2025 world premiere of Military Wives – The Musical, you played Dale/Simon/Andy, how was it originating the characters at York Theatre Royal?

It was the most emotional job I have ever done. The cast were just the best of the best, and it was truly special originating British theatre and telling the story of such an amazing film, and, of course, a real life story.

How was it reuniting with writer/director Debbie Isitt on Military Wives – The Musical and can you tell us about your time working on her shows I Should Be So Lucky (as Nathan) and Nativity! (as Ensemble / cover Mr Maddens and Mr Poppy in 2019 and Mr Maddens in 2022)?

Debbie is one of a kind. This was my fourth time working with her, and it was still as much fun as the first. She challenges me in ways I hadn’t before, and that’s what is so special about Debbie. Everything is real, and that’s when you get the best theatrical experience, in my opinion.

Last year, you were also in the cast of Maiden Voyage at Southwark Playhouse Elephant for their world premiere, what was this like?

Again, it was very humbling to be a part of a new British musical, telling a story about such determined, amazing women who fought for themselves and wouldn’t listen to anybody telling them they couldn’t achieve what they did. Southwark is such a great, intimate space as well.

Do you have any favourite memories from playing Alternate Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire in the West End production of Mrs. Doubtfire at the Shaftesbury Theatre that you can share?

It was the role of a lifetime – I still miss her to this day. Since I was a kid, I’ve done voices and impressions, so to be able to showcase that, and also portray in my own right the living legend of Mrs. Doubtfire, is an experience I will never forget.

What was Mrs. Doubtfire like to portray and how was it getting into costume?

The costume changes were the hardest part of the job – you don’t stop for two hours in the show – but it’s the most fun ever. Playing Mrs. Doubtfire, I can’t even really put it into words. So, so special, and I still walk around doing her lines every now and then.

How did you find the experience taking on the role of William McMaster Murdoch in Titanic the Musical?

This was terrifying, haha! It was my first role that wasn’t English or American, and obviously, William was a real person, so I made sure I put the work in. The week in Edinburgh I panicked every night that they would think, ‘Is he trying to be Scottish?’.

What are some of your further stand-out highlights from your theatre career so far, which has seen you in shows including Rock of Ages – UK Tour, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Kilworth House Theatre and the UK Tour of Summer Holiday?

All of them! Our House will always be the special one as I met four of my best friends, who are about to be my groomsmen, and I’ve very luckily been a groomsman to two of them already. It was my first musical, so it will always hold a close space in my heart.

How did you get into theatre and was acting always something you wanted to do professionally?

I spoke too much in class basically! The teachers said to my parents – “We think he should get into drama” – and the rest is history.

Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch, and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

My all-time favourite is Jersey Boys, or Something Rotten!. I have never had the opportunity to do either, but hopefully one day! I’m dying to see Into the Woods, and again, I would love to be in it one day.

What do you enjoy doing away from your career?

Spending time with family and friends. Such a basic answer, but this career takes so much time away from our loved ones, so whenever I can, I just want to spend time with them!

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