Layton Williams is making a splash in his Broadway debut in the Celine Dion jukebox tuner Titanique. The actor stars as a fabulously over-the-top version of the notorious iceberg, yes, the very one responsible for sinking the Titanic. Following his Olivier Award–winning run in London, Williams reprises his scene-stealing performance in New York. Spectrum News NY1 entertainment journalist Frank DiLella caught up with Williams following the news of his Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
This is your Broadway debut! And speaking of firsts, you’re now a first-time Tony nominee! You’re checking all the boxes!
Layton Williams: It’s been crazy! The Tony nomination was the icing on the cake! We were filming at [The Today Show] when we found out about the Tony Awards; it was the most exhausting yet exhilarating day of my life!
You posted an emotional response to the Tony nomination on Instagram…
LW: It all hit me in that moment. Not many people know a lot about me here, which is why the nomination meant even more. When the Olivier Award happened, I don’t know why, but I’d convinced myself that I’d received that honor just because it was the first time I was eligible after London audiences watched me grow up onstage for 20 years. But then, for this to happen here, on Broadway in New York City? This feels like an amazing acknowledgment of the sweat (literally!) I’ve poured into this role over the past few years. I’m a boy from a town in the UK called Bury who fell into an audition for Billy Elliot when I was young. And my story is quite similar to the Billy Elliot story — I come from very humble beginnings, and getting to London was one thing, but going to theater school was something else. This whole journey — making it to the West End, the Olivier Awards, Broadway, and now the Tony Awards — it’s a crazy dream!
And all the West End leading ladies and divas have been sending you love for your nomination on social media… Do you feel like you’re doing London proud and carrying the West End torch?
LW: I really do feel the love. I’ve been trying to get through as many messages as I can. I feel like I’m holding the torch out here for the West End girls. But it’s not just me this season — it’s also Sam Tutty. We went to the same school, Italia Conti. Our school has me, Sam, and Mark Ballas all on Broadway together right now. This is a first for them, to have three people on Broadway at the same time.
You play the Iceberg … were you a big Titanic fan?
LW: Yes, I loved the movie, but I wasn’t a fanatic. I think maybe I just missed the boom of it because of my age. I came to the film a little later, but even though I didn’t experience firsthand the way it impacted pop culture, I’ll never forget seeing it for the first time. It was heartbreaking and beautiful.
How did you get involved with the Titanique family?
LW: I heard whispers of it for a couple of years. All the West End Wendys were coming back from New York and talking about this show. It was gearing up to come over to London, and I remember putting the feelers out, but it became apparent at the time that the dates wouldn’t work because I was doing Cabaret. And then something happened where they weren’t going into the theatre till Christmas — I happened to be finishing Cabaret in November, so I messaged my manager and said, “What’s the tea on Titanique?” And he said, “If it comes to the UK, you have to do it.” I called my agent at WME in America, and she said, “The Iceberg, yes!” And then I had a Zoom with director Tye Blue. I confirmed the job before I had even seen it in New York. Then I saw it in person while it was Off-Broadway and thought, I could definitely do something with this role and really shake it up to make it my own.
And you really have made it your own, earning mid-show standing ovations from the audience for your big number as the Iceberg! What is that process like for you, leading up to and performing the role?
LW: When preparing for the part, I knew: If I’m gonna do this, it needs to be full-out glam rock. But I also play other characters in the show, like the Museum Tour Guide, the Seaman, and Peabo Bryson. So, I work in a subtle energy build as I move through the show, not wanting to pull focus in those scenes in the lead-up. And that goes for my look, too — I start the show as the tour guide with virtually no makeup, just a base, and between each scene I add one more layer, so when the Iceberg hits, I can make a big and fast transformation into full diva mode. With that entrance, I want it to feel like I’m shooting out of a cannon. And that’s the energy I try to bring to the number, too. I spent so much time during rehearsal breaks watching videos of Tina Turner, Celine Dion, and RuPaul, wanting to merge the iconic ’isms from each of them into one rocking number. The Iceberg’s holy trinity of divas!
Your show is attracting a lot of celebrities, both in the audience and on the producing team! Favorite interaction thus far?
LW: It’s very different compared to the West End. Every day they’re like, this person is joining the Titanique team, and I’m like, “Work!” But my favorite person who has seen the show is RuPaul. RuPaul saw the show in the West End, and I was doing the whole Drag Race segment right to him, and he was cackling the whole time. He was really getting into it. That was a highlight for me!
There’s a real family element to your Titanique company.
LW: What I really love about the Broadway company, that we didn’t have in the West End, is having the co-creators fully immersed in this experience with us. I’m in awe. To have Tye steering every turn of this ship, to be sharing the stage with Constantine and Marla every night, and to be in the room with these three people — this is their baby. It’s been nice to come to New York already knowing the gig from the London run, but there have been new unforgettable moments every day.
Let’s fast-forward to June 7 — Tony Sunday … what will be going through your mind as you make your way into Radio City Music Hall?
LW: Honestly, what’s going to take me out of being nervous is the fact that we’re going to be performing on the broadcast. Knowing that I’m performing will keep me busy and focused on what’s happening onstage. This whole thing is wild to me. But whatever happens, I came here for my Broadway debut, and that happened and then some. I have this Tony nomination that I can keep on my track record for life. To get this far, for me, is such a win. I want to enjoy the day. And up until the Tonys, I just want to keep doing the gig and slay the stage!
