Buy Tickets Show Listing Multimedia Email this Article Printer-friendly RELATED ARTICLES: 02 Sep 2007 -- London's Billy Elliot to Play 1,000th Performance in October 13 Apr 2007 -- Jackie Clune to Dance Into London's Billy Elliot in June 26 Feb 2007 -- London Welcomes New Billy Elliot Feb. 26 23 Nov 2006 -- Billy Elliot Celebrates One Millionth Ticket 07 Sep 2006 -- More Dates Announced for Mower's Billy

By Andrew Gans
20 Feb 2007

The first new Billy Elliot of 2007 will arrive on the London stage Feb. 26. That's the date 12-year-old Layton Williams from Manchester, England, will make his West End stage debut in the hit Elton John musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Layton will join fellow Billys Leon Cooke, Dean McCarthy and Travis Yates, who all alternate in the title role of Billy Elliot the Musical, which was penned by John and Lee Hall. Stephen Daldry directs.

In a press statement, young actor Williams says, "My name is Layton Williams, I am 12 yrs old and I live in Bury with my Mum Michelle, my stepdad Curtis, my two brothers Joshua and Regan and my sister Renee. My hobbies are dancing and singing and I also love all types of sport, which I do a lot of at my school St. Paul's Primary. I had never done any ballet or tap before my audition for Billy Elliot, so I was thrilled to get through the intensive training and attend the Academy in Leeds. I struggled at first but now I have found that tap and street dance are my favourite types of dance. I had street dance and drama lessons at Carol Godby’s theatre workshop in Bury and I performed singing and dancing roles in a few shows. I also went to Center Pointe in Manchester to learn Ballet.

"I love singing and dancing in front of an audience, so when I found out I had been given the part of Billy in the West End, I was ecstatic, my dreams have finally come true! I want to thank my mum, my stepdad Curtis and all my family that have helped me to achieve this, especially all the dance teachers that have taught me."

Billy Elliot the Musical plays the Victoria Palace Theatre on Victoria Street in London. For tickets to the show, which is now booking through Oct. 20, 2007, call 0870 895 5577.

Visit www.billyelliotthemusical.com for more information.

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