Note: Diesel Batson’s final performance as Billy in Matt Ward Entertainment’s production of Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) at The Star Gold Coast was on August 13, 2023.
Debut: July 8, 2023 (Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia)
Total Performances as Billy: 7 (No partial shows)
Diesel Batson was 12 years old when he debuted as Billy in the Gold Coast production of BETM. Diesel has been dancing almost since he could walk, training at Conroy Dance Centre since he was just two years old. He has trained and performed in all genres of dance, acrobatics and musical theatre.
Diesel is a student at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, where he takes private vocal, guitar and piano tuition and is involved in multiple music ensembles and productions. He has also started composing and producing his own original songs and would love to have the opportunity to record these professionally in the future.
Over the years, Diesel has gained a lot of experience of performing on stage. One of the highlights of his stage career so far has been playing ‘Benji’ in Priscilla Queen of the Desert in two separate productions — RMT (Redcliffe and Ipswich) and Matt Ward Entertainment (Gold Coast). He was nominated for a Gold Palm Theatre Award for his performance in this role.
Diesel has performed in the Magic to Do Creative production, Christmas in Storyland, as a featured artist in 2020 then as a Principal Character in 2021 and 2022.
In 2022 Diesel added another skill to his resume, as he started training and getting work in the commercial modelling and acting industry.
Outside of performing, Diesel also takes part in competitive sport — basketball, volleyball, tennis, track and field — and he has his karate green belt.
Diesel is beyond thrilled to take on the title role of Billy Elliot in this iconic musical. He hopes it inspires other young boys to pursue their passion for dance.
With his debut performance as Billy on 8-Jul-2023, Diesel becomes the 344th young actor worldwide to play the role in a professional, regional or community theatre production of the musical.
For more information about Diesel visit:
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