Note: Taichi Toshida’s final show as Billy in the Japanese production of Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) was in Osaka on November 13, 2020.
Debut: September 12, 2020 (Tokyo, Japan)
Total Performances as Billy to Date: 18 (No partial shows)
Taichi Toshida was 12 years old (born in 2008) when he debuted as Billy in the Japanese production of BETM in Tokyo.
Taichi has been learning ballet since he was just three years old. His ballet training currently takes place at Symphony Ballet Studio in Tokyo. Taichi has won many prizes in competitions. In 2018 at the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) competition, he was awarded 2nd place in the classical dance category of the Pre-Competitive age division. At the same competition, Taichi won a place on the International Training Programme with the Australian Ballet School.
Taichi auditioned for the 2017 Japanese production of BETM but was not chosen to play Billy at that time. He went to see the production and said that it was amazing to see Kosei Kato play Billy, as Kosei trains at the same studio as Taichi. In the years following his original audition for BETM, Taichi didn’t give up on his dream and continued to train hard. When it was announced that the production would be revived he auditioned once again and was really happy to finally win the role of Billy.
Taichi connects with the role of Billy. “Billy and I both love ballet and can’t explain the feelings of dancing well. I would like to find the “Electricity” felt by Billy when he dances.”
Before taking part in the training for BETM, the only form of dance Taichi had done was ballet. He has enjoyed getting to learn tap and other dance forms.
Taichi’s favourite scene in the musical is Solidarity because the voices of the miners and police officers are so powerful that he feels thrilled.
Taichi’s debut performance as Billy on 12-Sep-2020 makes him the 295th actor worldwide to play the role in a professional, regional or community theatre production of the musical.
For more information about Taichi visit:
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