Leah Hocking was in the original Broadway cast of “Billy Elliot” as Billy’s late mother. At the same time, she was understudy to the female lead, Mrs. Wilkinson, and received a Tony nomination as Best Supporting Actress in a musical. No matter how well her busy career was progressing, life was devastating for her offstage because she was consumed with the imminent death of her husband. Two years have passed. Taking charge of her life, Hocking has returned to the theater she loves playing Mrs. Wilkinson in the national tour of “Billy Elliot.” As a bonus, she travels with her daughter Mabel who studies dance backstage and does her school lessons with the five boys playing Billy.
“Going on stage is something I’ve always loved since I was small,” Hocking said. “Except for my grandmother, who fancied herself a chanteuse, nobody in my family was musical, but I was always going to be an actor. I had violin and piano lessons as a kid and studied dance, but not voice. My voice was a gift, and so is Mabel’s.
| Onstage |
| ‘Billy Elliot’ |
| Where: Kennedy Center Opera House |
| When: Throught January 15, 2012 |
| Info: From $60 at 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324 or kennedy-center.org |
“Mrs. Wilkinson is a traditional female with a lot more going on than singing, dancing and looking cute. She’s had a hard life. She smokes, drinks and regrets not fulfilling her own dreams. She is pushy and demanding of Billy, but other times she is funny. Despite her flaws, you can see the love between the teacher and her protege. I yell a lot on stage, so whenever Mabel thinks I get too loud at home, she calls me Mrs. Wilkinson.
“My first role in the show as Billy’s dead mother was much different and difficult to play while my husband was dying. She reads a letter to her son that he was not supposed to read until he became 18. It is very touching.
“People coming to the show may not know what to expect, but there’s something for everyone. One minute there’s a catch in your throat; the next you’re bursting with laughter and joy. The music composed by Elton John is very diverse and appealing. He was responsible for all except the ‘Swan Lake’ excerpts.”
In addition to “Billy Elliot.” Hocking’s rich Broadway career includes roles in “All Shook Up,” “Dance of the Vampires,” “Jekyll and Hyde,” “The Wild Party,” “Mamma Mia” and many others. She is heard on a number of cast recordings and has sung as guest soloist with many symphony orchestras. This, her first extensive tour, has allowed her to see each city with Mabel as the company moves about the country. Because she has never spent time in Washington, she and Mabel are looking forward to the long stay and opportunity to visit important sites, the White House among them.
“This is a marvelous cast and the kids are outstanding,” she said. “I’m amazed at the way they all go with the flow and are bursting with talent. Each one is different. That makes every performance all the more interesting.”
