Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Layton Williams has announced a brand-new UK tour, LAYTON LIVE, a spectacular evening of music, dance and storytelling celebrating his extraordinary career on stage and screen.
The tour will run from 23 February to 4 April 2027, visiting more than 20 towns and cities across the UK, including Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Cardiff and Sheffield, before concluding with a major London performance at the Adelphi Theatre.
Created to mark the upcoming 20th anniversary of Williams’ professional stage debut, LAYTON LIVE will take audiences on a musical journey through his career, from his breakout performance in Billy Elliot to acclaimed appearances in Titanique, Cabaret, Hairspray and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
The production will also revisit memorable moments from Bad Education and Strictly Come Dancing, combining music, dance and personal stories from Williams’ two decades in the entertainment industry.
Backed by a company of performers, the show promises behind-the-scenes insights, powerhouse vocals, spectacular choreography and many of the songs and moments that have defined Williams’ career.
Born in Bury, Greater Manchester, 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, Cabaret, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Kiss Me, Kate, Hairspray, Rent, Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man and Lord of the Flies, Thriller Live and Billy Elliot.
His television and film work includes Bad Education, People We Meet on Vacation, Strictly Come Dancing, I Hate Suzie, I Kissed A Boy, The Cleaner, Murder, They Hope, Benidorm, School for Stars, Beautiful People and Geek Girl.
In addition to performing, Williams is the director of Pros From The Shows, which delivers professional performing arts experiences for young people through its Slay Clubs programme, while also championing LGBTQIA+ representation and visibility.
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, Williams will appear as King Herod in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
LAYTON LIVE is described as a celebration of two decades of one of British entertainment’s most dynamic performers, combining show-stopping musical numbers with the humour, honesty and charisma that have made Williams a favourite with audiences across theatre, television and beyond.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
