Canberra-born tenor and musical theatre star, Billy Bourchier, has been cast as Tony in the upcoming production of West Side Story for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, with First Nations soprano Nina Korbe as Maria.

Bourchier was first introduced to theatre through the Combined Area Theatre (CAT) awards as a child. He went on to appear in Canberra productions from age 12.

After cutting his teeth in several productions here, he went on to study at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.

Billy has been touring as the cover for Chris in Opera Australia’s Miss Saigon, but the role of Tony will mark Bourchier’s lead role debut in a major musical.

Other main stage credits include Candide, The Pirates of Penzance, Les Misérables, The Last Five Years and The Book of Mormon.

In 2020, Bourchier developed and performed in his own cabaret show.

He retains a strong connection to Canberra and will appear in the next CAT awards ceremony at The Q on February 18.

CAT mother and founder, Coralie Wood, said this morning, “I am really quite emotional about Billy getting this part …I always knew he would be a star one day. He is also such a lovely person and has kept friends with the CAT Awards since he was a little boy …he has now made me so proud.”

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – West Side Story, March 22 –April 21.