Meet the new Billy Elliot

Find out what it’s like to become a West End star at the age of 12, as we catch up with independent schoolboy and all-singing and dancing sensation, Ollie Gardner

Billy Elliott

Ollie Gardner is 12 years old and lives in Bath with his mum, dad and sister Stanya. Normally, he attends independent Kingswood School, in Bath, but now he is starring twice a week as Billy Elliot, at the Victoria Palace Theatre, in London. We caught up with Ollie the day after his debut performance.

Ollie, how did your first live performance go?

“It went really, really well last night, thanks. It was such good fun, I enjoyed every minute of it. I was a bit nervous to begin with, but when I first went out on stage everyone clapped and that made me feel much better.”

How did you get into music and dancing?

“My family are really musical and I started dancing when I was five-years-old, learning ballet, tap and modern dance at Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing in Bath. When I was nine I became a junior associate of the Royal Ballet School, in London, and later a mid associate. I love all forms of dance, especially street, tap and ballet.”

How did you win the part of Billy Elliot?
Billy Elliott

“It has always been my dream to star in the West End and work in musical theatre. I auditioned for Billy Elliot last year, which was pretty nerve-wracking and involved doing acting, singing and dancing.

"I went through to the next round then spent many months training in London. I was thrilled when I found out earlier this year that I would be playing my dream role of Billy Elliot."

Billy Elliot is a three-hour production and you are on stage for most of it. How do you prepare for this?

“We do a lot of training to build our fitness and stamina in order to get through the show. The training has been hard work but all the teachers made it fun.

"In training, we do schoolwork from 9am until lunchtime, then more schoolwork in the afternoon before starting dance and music lessons. Sometimes they go on until 8pm in the evening.”

How did you get into the part of Billy?

“We receive vocal and acting coaching to help us understand the part. I have to put on a Geordie accent but it’s good because a dialect coach works with me on it.

“I really like the character of Billy, his background and the story. He has to overcome a lot when he gives up boxing for ballet. I’ve not encountered anything like that – all my friends and family have been so supportive.”

Do you get to see your family and friends much?

"I haven’t been home to Bath for a month, but my family comes up to see me. I keep in touch with schoolfriends by phone and texting and I can’t wait for all my mates from Kingswood to come and see me.”

Is the stage a fun and friendly environment?

“The cast are great – everyone is really friendly and the adult actors are such fun to work with. They really help us and it’s a wonderful company to be a part of.”

What are your ambitions for the future?

“It’s my ambition to stay in musical theatre when I grow up. Billy is my number one at the moment.”

Ollie’s mum says…

“Ollie is extremely talented but above all he has always been incredibly dedicated. He decided at a very early age that he wanted to pursue a career in dancing/musical theatre and he recognised that to follow this dream involved a huge amount of hard work.

"I think often programmes like ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and ‘The X factor’, give the impression that if you’re talented you could be plucked from nowhere and find yourself on the stage! Ollie has trained for 12 months for Billy and has had to give up many things to pursue his dream.

"To see him up on stage performing was magical. On his debut, the audience of 1500 people gave him two standing ovations in the middle of the show. To see everyone spontaneously get up to applaud and cheer was just incredible.

"It’s difficult now that he is living away and it has changed the family dynamic, however it is his dream and who could take that away from him? He is so happy up in London, surrounded by good friends and a creative team who simply adore him so I know he is happy.

"Some people have asked whether it was our dream to put him on the stage, but the genuine love he has to perform and dance comes from inside him – all we did was support that.”

Sabra Gardner

We are all so proud of Ollie. From drama scholar at Kingswood to West End star in such a short time is quite an achievement! He is not only hugely talented, but he is also impressively committed. He really does deserve his success.Simon Morris, Kingswood School, Bath

Billy Elliott