Note: Bradley’s final show as Billy was in the West End (London) production of the show on 25-Jul-2015.
Debut: November 13, 2013 (London)
Total Performances as Billy: 177.7 (Includes 3 partial shows credited @.5 ea and the 10th Anniversary show credited at .2)
When he debuted on 13-Nov-2013(D.O.B. 9-Mar-2002), Bradley Perret was 11 years old and the first French Billy Elliot to ever grace the Victoria Palace Theatre stage. He was the West End’s 35th Billy and the 72nd boy in the world to play the role.
When not in London to prepare for and then portray Billy on stage, Bradley lived with his parents and sister in the south of France town of Juan-les-Pins, which is located between Nice and Cannes.
Like most young men who have played the role of Billy, Bradley started dance early in life – in his case at the age of five. His first lessons were at L’Ecole de Spectacle where his first love was the Jazz style of dance. His learning process gradually expanded into other dance forms. He wrote in his official BETM bio that he first tried ballet at the Jakobson Ballet School in a Swan Lake workshop in St Petersburg, Russia.
Bradley has performed many times at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, and won a second prize with L’Atelier (dance school) in an international modern jazz competition.
After several auditions and callbacks, Bradley was asked to come to London for final training before his debut as Billy on November 13, 2013.
In February of 2014, Bradley’s episode of “Meet the Billys” was released by BETMUK:
http://https://youtu.be/mZ3k4c0jO5k
Credit: Video by BillyElliot
Each year, West End LIVE, an annual free celebration of London theatre, takes place on a mainstage in Trafalgar Square and in a historic 1920s Spiegeltent in Leicester Square. Billed as the largest event of its type in the world, in 2013 over half a million people attended the event. 2014 marked the 10th year of West End Live and on 18-Jun-2014, representing BETM, Bradley Perret performed the show’s signature piece Electricity:
http://https://youtu.be/TkEAyHs4hdo
Credit: Video by MYSTiiC KiinG
On November 2, 2014, Bradley appeared at the UK’s National Teaching Awards show broadcast on BBC2. Here’s a video of his street version of Electricity on that show:
http://https://youtu.be/scem4GCa87E
Credit: Video by MYSTiiC KiiNG
Bradley’s final show as Billy came on 25-Jul-2015. It was his 177.7 performance in the role (see the top of this profile for the details). And thus the West End’s only French Billy (to date) tread the boards of the Victoria Palace Theatre for the last time. But this true triple threat has the talent to go on to a very successful career in the performing arts, if that’s what he chooses to do with his life. We wish him much success!
Credit: Production Photos in this article are by Alastair Muir
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As noted, the original profile article, above, was authored by porschesrule. The Life After Billy segment, below, was researched and written by rsbatchelor.
Life After Billy
2015 – After Billy Elliot, Bradley took some time away to consider his options. He decided to go back to the UK from his home in France to get back on stage. Bradley joined ArtsEd in Chiswick, London for dance training in 2015, staying for a year.
2016 – Bradley danced with Khronos Agoris in a piece choreographed by Luke McCabe called Human, which appeared on Britain’s Got Talent on ITV in 2016. Bradley’s in the white shirt in this video.
https://youtu.be/rvFsnCUfrxA
Credit: Video by Britain’s Got Talent on ITV
After ArtsEd, He transferred to The BRIT School of Performing Arts in Croydon for training in the Btec and UAL extended level 3 diploma, staying almost 4 years. Betc is mainly focused on putting on productions, while UAL puts students through degree level studies for performance in the arts.
2017 – Bradley joined the BRIT School’s the Khronos Agoria Boys Contemporary in 2017.
2018 – In 2018, Bradley performed with William Wright in the Love$ick music video directed by John Biltcliffe. He also danced a duet called Weight in Gold by artist Gallant in a dance showcase seen below for BRIT School.
https://youtu.be/HcRbiZmAbtc
Credit: Video by BRIT School
2019 – Bradley auditioned for Laine Theatre Arts in 2019. Here is his solo for the audition, Born Ready with music by artist Zayde Wolf.
https://youtu.be/efSI4hUsR7Q
Credit: Video by Bradley Perret
2020 – Bradley received the DADA Scholarship and started in Laine Theatre Arts for Musical Theatre in 2020. At Laine, he took a lot of singing classes, learning at least 2 musical theatre songs a week. He participated in a Timberland commercial in September 2020 called Nature Needs Heroes with two of his BRIT school friends, and artist Loyle Carner. To make Nature Needs Heroes, Urban Growth, National Park City, and Croydon Council teamed with Loyle and Timberland to change a disused area into a thriving community place along with local community members.
Credit: Video by Timberland
Bradley was also a backup dancer at the 2020 Brit awards for Mabel.
2021 – During the pandemic, Bradley spent time with family. He also spent time making music at home. In January, he recorded Fallin’ which is his most viewed song. Essence: Patience, a garage band project, was written and produced by Bradley in 2021. See Bradley’s YouTube channel. Bradley spent his Christmas in Glasgow on stage at SEC Armadillo with the Crossroads Company pantomime. Here is a picture of Bradley in the show warm up for SEC Armadillo performance of Aladdin.
2022 – Bradley performed in the Laine Theatre Arts summer showcase on from June 12-18. He is finishing up college assessments.
In the future, Bradley would love to return to the West End or tour singing.
For more information about Bradley Perret, visit:
Billy Elliot The Forum, Brad’s Instagram, Brad on Facebook, Bradley Perret Appreciation Society
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