Billy Elliot Star thrills students with West End workshops

Professional dancer and actor, Layton Williams visited Walsall College on Wednesday 21st November and held a workshop with Dance and Acting students.

Best known for playing the role of Stephen Carmichael in the BBC Comedy Bad Education, Layton also played the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical in London’s West End and the character Kylie in the BBC UK TV series Beautiful People in 2008 and 2009.

He is also part of the Matthew Bourne New Adventures dance company and has completed tours for Rent, Hairspray and Lord of the Flies.

Layton put the Level 3 acting students through their paces with a dance routine to the West End Show ‘Thriller’ and was impressed with their talent and enthusiasm.

The sessions was followed by a Q&A session, where Leyton answered student questions on training, how to break into the industry, as well as the demands of being an actor.

Layton then completed a Musical Theatre workshop with the College’s Dance students, where he taught them the choreography from the West End’s ‘Dreamgirls’.

He said: “They put a lot of energy and passion into the session which was fantastic to see. I loved working with them and the facilities at the college are great.

Curriculum Manager for Performing Arts, Christine Taylor, commented: “We are delighted that Layton had the time to visit the college as the students really enjoyed the workshop and were very inspired.”