Nick Nolan – AKA Nicky Trix
Magician • Ventriloquist • Puppet Performer • Theatre Producer
Nick Nolan, known professionally as Nicky Trix, is a British variety entertainer who has spent nearly two decades performing magic, comedy and ventriloquism across the UK. His fascination with puppetry began aged 4 after watching Michael Diamond’s Punch & Judy and magic show at Pontins in Hemsby, a formative moment that sparked his love for live entertainment. With strong encouragement from his late grandmother Pauline, Nick began performing shows of his own, driven by sheer passion and a natural gift for engaging audiences. From that early inspiration came a full-blown career in family theatre and puppetry.
At age 14, Nick was mentored by celebrated children’s entertainer Shaun Papworth, best known as Papalarny. Under Shaun’s guidance, Nick learned the intricacies of character, timing and audience connection - vital tools for any entertainer. In his early professional years, Nick toured extensively with solo shows for Haven, Park Dean, and Pontins holiday parks, delighting families with his unique blend of slapstick comedy, puppetry and ventriloquism. He also made a name for himself on the pantomime stage, performing for three consecutive years at The Woodville Theatre Gravesend, as well as appearing as resident comic in a production of Snow White, at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne.
While Nick cherishes these early chapters in his career, he has since transitioned away from the holiday park and pantomime circuits to focus entirely on creating and starring in his own original theatre shows. As a writer, producer and director, he now stages over 10 professional productions annually, with performances at leading Essex venues including Thameside Theatre Grays, Palace Theatre Southend and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch to name but a few. Each show is crafted with Nick’s signature mix of magic, mischief and puppet mayhem, appealing to children, parents and grandparents alike. His work breathes new life into the traditions of British variety, updated for a modern audience.
Alongside his theatre work, Nick performs at hundreds of private and corporate events throughout the year. Whether entertaining families at a community event or performing bespoke stage shows at high-end functions, his act remains fresh, fast paced and full of laughs. His puppet co-stars, including his beloved Nambu the elephant and Punky the parrot, were created by world class builders Peter Pullon and Phil Fletcher and are central to the success of his act. Nick’s reputation as one of the UK’s hardest working family entertainers continues to grow with every show.
Away from the spotlight, Nick is a passionate puppet archivist and collector, preserving and celebrating the work of some of Britain’s most prolific puppet builders. His private collection includes rare and historic figures from builders such as Austin Phillips, Geoff Felix, Len Insull senior and junior, Fred Tickner, Bryan Clarke and Joe Parsonage, among others. As a proud member of the British Puppet Guild, Nick remains dedicated not only to entertaining audiences but to honouring the craftsmanship, history and joy of British puppetry. Through performance and preservation, he continues to champion the art form for future generations.
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