More

    Meet Billy Elliot: Jacob Hermansson

    Note: Jacob’s final performance as Billy in the Stockholm production of Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM), was on June 9, 2017.

    Debut: February 17, 2016 (Malmö, Sweden)  February 10, 2017 (Stockholm, Sweden)

    Total Performances as Billy to Date :  31.5  (Malmö = 12) (Stockholm = 19.5) (Includes one partial show credited @.5)

    Jacob Hermansson Thumb

    Jacob Hermansson was 13 years old when he debuted as Billy at the Malmö Opera House in Malmö, Sweden.

    From a very young age Jacob has loved dancing and singing.  He first started dancing when he was four-years-old at the Step-In Dance Studio in Tyresö, which is just outside Stockholm.  He has been studying at the Royal Swedish Ballet School since the autumn of 2012, and is currently in the 8th grade there.

    Prior to being cast in BETM Jacob’s performance experience included dancing in The Royal Opera House’s productions of Raymonda and Swan Lake, since his school is partnered with the Opera House.  He has also appeared in productions in other places including at the Stockholm City Theatre.

    downloadJacob took part in a lengthy audition process before being cast as Billy in the Malmo Opera House production.  He was one of three boys chosen to play Billy, along with Grim Lohman and Oliver Lohk.  Beginning in the Spring of 2015, the six Billys and Michaels began intensive training in a “Billy School” set up at Base 23 in Stockholm (Stockholm Dance Academy). This was followed by rehearsals with the entire cast.

    In an interview with a local newspaper, Jacob was asked if he could identify with Billy Elliot at all.  He replied, “I have been told things like guys can’t dance ballet, it’s only for girls”.

    Jacob debuted as Billy on 17-Feb-2016, making him the 122nd boy in the world to play the role.  The Malmö production ran until 3-Jun-2016 and during this time Jacob performed the lead role 12 times. 

    Billy (Jacob Hermansson) Flies in "Dream Ballet"
    Billy (Jacob Hermansson) Flies in “Dream Ballet”

    Credit: Photo by Malin Arnesson 

    Due to the huge success of this production, a second Swedish production of BETM opened in 2017, this time in the capital city of Stockholm at the Stockholm City Theatre.  Jacob, who was 14-years old by this time, once again played Billy.  He was the only one of the three Malmö Billys to continue the role in Stockholm.

    Jacob was very pleased to be involved with the Stockholm production. “When I dance, I am filled with joy and energy,” he says, “Billy Elliot is a real dream role.”

    For more information about Jacob visit:

    Billy Elliot the Forum

    1922381_1661802917370191_346018836_n

    ______________________________________

    To Alphabetical Profile Index

    To the Malmö & Stockholm Main Page

    To A Complete Listing of All BETM Articles