Italia Conti alumnus Layton Williams has taken time out from his Broadway debut, starring as The Iceberg in the musical comedy Titanique at the St. James Theatre, to talk to QX. We asked Layton to give a few helpful tips for the new generation of Conti Kids just starting out on their journey to Broadway.
QX: Layton, hey! You’re speaking to us from New York — how are you and what’s happening in your world right now?
Layton Williams: Hey, hey! It’s Layton Williams here. I’m currently in New York, making my Broadway debut, which still feels wild to say out loud. I’m a proud Conti Kid through and through, so chatting to QX feels like a full‑circle moment.
QX: Huge congratulations. Making it to Broadway is massive. What are your top tips for young performers hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Layton: Honestly, it has been a 20‑year hustle. Nothing about this industry happens overnight. I’m a big believer in putting things out into the universe, manifesting the big dreams — but you have to put the work in behind it. And that means putting the work into the things you aren’t so good at, too.
Guilty confession time: when I was at school and college at Italia Conti, I wasn’t always doing my “la‑la‑la‑la‑las” the way I should have! I had to learn the hard way that if I wanted to be a star, I needed to get my chops together. So that was lesson number one for me.
If you’re a triple threat and there’s one area you’re not as strong in, work on that one a bit more. It makes such a difference.
QX: Auditions can be intimidating. Any advice for dealing with the pressure?
Layton: For sure. First thing: remember that the panel wants you to do well. No one in that room wants you to fall over, freeze or make a fool of yourself. They’re rooting for you, truly.
Walk in with the energy of: “I want this job, but also — you need me, and I need you. Let’s collaborate.” It shifts the whole vibe.
And if it doesn’t go your way, try thinking of it as a free class. You got to perform, you got feedback, you gained experience. Nothing lost.
QX: And finally — the classic question — how do you handle not getting the job?
Layton: I genuinely don’t think you lose anything when you don’t get a role. If you don’t have the job in the first place, nothing has been taken away from you. But if you do book something amazing — like being flown out to New York City — then that’s your gain.
So keep that mindset, keep the faith, keep slaying… and keep going.
Bye babes!
Layton is performing in Titanique at the St. James Theatre, New York, until 12 July 2026.
More About Layton Williams
Layton Williams is an English actor, singer, dancer, and musical theatre performer. He is best known for his role as Stephen Carmichael in the television series Bad Education and has received critical acclaim for his performances in West End Theatre.
Layton began his career at the age of twelve in Billy Elliot the Musical and later starred as Jamie in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre. In August 2023, he joined Strictly Come Dancing, where he partnered with Nikita Kuzmin. They achieved the first perfect score of the series during Musicals Week and continued to excel in the competition.
In September 2024, Layton took on the role of Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre in London.
Layton is currently playing The Iceberg in the smash hit musical comedy Titaníque, at the St. James Theatre on Broadway.
Do you want to be a Conti Kid?
Founded in 1911 by Italia Conti, the school began as a small stage school in London and has become an internationally respected training institution. Over its 115-year history, Italia Conti has launched the careers of many performers, including Noël Coward himself, Wendy Richard, Tracey Ullman, Naomi Campbell, Louise Redknapp, Martine McCutcheon, Danny Mayes, Pixie Lott, James Nelson-Joyce, Layton Williams and Mimi Keene.
Now located in a modern campus in Woking, the school offers specialized facilities for acting, musical theatre, and dance, having consolidated its historic London and Guildford campuses in 2022.
In its anniversary year, Italia Conti is focusing on expanding access to professional training through bursaries and scholarships, including the Noël Coward Scholarship, which supports students in Acting, Musical Theatre, and Dance. The Italia Conti Trust has also received a significant grant from the Noël Coward Foundation to further support talented students in the performing arts.
“Reaching 115 years is not just about celebrating our past, it’s about reaffirming why Italia Conti still matters today. The industry, and the education landscape, are changing rapidly, and our responsibility is to evolve while staying true to the values that define us: rigorous training, pastoral care and a belief in the potential of every student. Initiatives like the Noël Coward Scholarship, alongside new funding partnerships, are a vital in ensuring that financial circumstance is not a barrier to creative ambition.”
Hayley Newton-Jarvis, CEO of Italia Conti
All images supplied.
