Celebrate Layton’s colourful career at Northampton show

Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Layton Williams is heading to Northampton next year with an evening of music, dance and storytelling.

Layton Live will celebrate his successful career on stage and screen and marks the upcoming 20th anniversary of his professional stage debut.

The show takes theatregoers on a whistle-stop musical journey through Layton's remarkable life on stage – from his breakout performance in Billy Elliot to his acclaimed turn in Titanique, with stops at Cabaret, Hairspray, Everybody's Talking About Jamie, the Bad Education classroom and even the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom.

Backed by a company of exceptional performers, the show promises behind-the-scenes stories, powerhouse vocals, spectacular choreography and many of the classic songs and moments that have defined Layton's career.

Layton said: “You can expect a full theatrical experience. Think mini-musical meets everything that you love about me – singing, dancing, the acting, the drama and a lot of fun. You'll laugh, hopefully, a little tear may fall down your face, but also you're gonna be thoroughly entertained.

“For me, going to the people that have supported me in my West End career, in any of the TV shows that I've been a part of, to actually be in your town and perform for you is so special. A director once said to me, if you go to them, they'll come to you, and it's my time to come back to you.

"Also, if you're reading this and you're not necessarily a fan of me, trust and believe this is going to be a good introduction. So, if you leave still not a fan of me, I'll let you off, but I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen.”

Born in Bury, Greater Manchester, Layton Williams began his professional career at just 12 years old in the title role of Billy Elliot in the West End. Since then, he has become one of the UK's most celebrated musical theatre performers.

His stage credits include Titanique (Criterion Theatre), Cabaret (Playhouse Theatre), Everybody's Talking About Jamie(Apollo Theatre), Kiss Me, Kate (Sheffield Crucible), Hairspray (UK Tour), Rent (The Other Palace), Matthew Bourne's The Car Man and Lord of the Flies, Thriller Live (Lyric Theatre) and Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace Theatre).

Layton's television and film work includes Bad Education (BBC), People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix), Strictly Come Dancing (BBC), I Hate Suzie (HBO), I Kissed A Boy (BBC), The Cleaner (BBC), Murder, They Hope (BBC), Benidorm (ITV), School for Stars (CBBC) and Beautiful People (BBC). This year he also makes his Netflix series debut as stylist Onassis in Geek Girl.

Beyond performing, Layton is the director of Pros From The Shows, which creates professional performing arts experiences for young people. He is also a passionate advocate for the LGBT community.

His accolades include three Black British Theatre Awards, a WhatsOnStage Award, the Olivier Award for Titanique in the West End and a Tony Award nomination for the show's Broadway transfer. Before embarking on the Layton Live tour, Layton will appear as King Herod in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Layton Live comes to the Royal & Derngate on Sunday February 28. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.