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    Meet Billy Elliot: Nolan Fahey

    Note: Nolan’s final show as Billy in the Arts Club Theatre presentation of Billy Elliot The Musical (BETM) on the Stanley Industrial Alliance Theatre stage in Vancouver, BC was on July 17, 2016.

    Debut: May 12, 2016 (Arts Club Theatre Company – Vancouver, BC)

    Total Performances as Billy:  74 (No partial shows) 

    Nolan Fahey ThumbNolan Fahey of Port Moody, BC was 13 years old (D.O.B = 28-Nov-2002) at the time of his debut as Billy in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of BETM.  He is a student of the Lindbjerg Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA) in Coquitlam, BC. 

    Nolan has been involved in many performing activities at LAPA, including with the school’s show choir, performing with it at Disneyland in 2014.

    Other previous performing experience includes several dance competitions and, theatrically, last year (August 2015) he played the role of Charlie Bates in the Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) production of Oliver! He also appeared in two Align Entertainment productions – Addams Family (Feb. 2015) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Feb, 2016).

    The Cast of TUTS Oliver! (Nolan is sitting in the front row)
    The Cast of TUTS Oliver! (Nolan is sitting in the front row)

    Choreographer Valerie Easton speaks glowingly of her young star, “(He’s) an extraordinarily talented young man with strong ballet, tap, and gymnastic skills—he’s going to shine as Billy Elliot!”.  

    And, in turn, Nolan returns the sentiment saying Easton has helped him tremendously to perfect his ballet and tap skills and gives him a lot of inspiration and support.

    Arts Club Theatre Company released this video that features an interview with Nolan and the actor who plays Older Billy in the show, Matthew Cluff:

    Credit: Video by Arts Club Theatre Company

    Nolan says he first began seeking the role of Billy during the summer of 2015, when he added attendance at a ballet camp to his performing arts studies. He credits his school district’s EPIC program with allowing him to be able to attend rehearsals, while at the same time studying for his academic courses. Typically he does his homework between rehearsal breaks and shows or when he gets home.

    As far as how he prepares to “Be Billy” Nolan says “I try to get into the character as much as I can before the show so, when I do it, it comes and considering we do it so much, I’ve gotten use to it. I think of things that make me sad or get me frustrated — like my brother.”

    Upon his debut as Billy on 12-May-2016, Nolan became the 132nd actor in the world to play the role.

    Nolan Does The Billy Jump

    *Note: Production photos used in this article by Mark Halliday

    For more information about Nolan visit:

    Billy Elliot the Forum

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