12-year-old Billy Tucker will perform in the role of Fritz in the Royal Ballet’s Covent Garden performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker from 23 November to 8nJanuary 2022.
Billy started dancing at the age of eight at Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing in Bath and is is currently studying in Year 8 at the Royal Ballet School in Richmond. He will dance alongside Principals of the Royal Ballet Company as the brother of the lead character Clara, in the highlight of the Royal Opera House’s Christmas repertoire.
“Everybody talks about being cast as Fritz right from the beginning of year 7 at The Royal Ballet School so it is something I have always hoped for. But the audition process was really tough and everybody here is so good, I am really grateful and proud to have been cast as Fritz”
“As Fritz I have to break the Nutcracker doll on stage, it’s really scary because I always worry that it won’t actually break during a live performance,” said Billy. “I also get to dance with some of the principle dancers in The Royal Ballet Company which is just amazing. I hope one day that I make it into the company when I am old enough – that’s my dream”
“To be chosen to play the role of Fritz is such an honour and Billy has undoubtedly been selected due to his raw talent and personality,” added Annette Hind, Principal of Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing. “We are so very proud of Billy and cannot wait to watch his professional ballet career develop.”