David Thaxton
Encyclopedia
David Thaxton is a British musical theatre and opera performer. He recently starred in the Donmar Warehouse
's Passion
, for which he won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He previously appeared as Enjolras
in the West End production of Les Misérables
. In March 2011, he joined the cast of Love Never Dies
, undertaking the role of Raoul de Chagny.
.
, he was part of the world premiere of Richard Taylor's Warchild. He was a soloist at the opening gala for the Wales Millenium Centre in 2004 and created the role of the Wolf in the world premiere of John Doyle's The Tailors Daughter (Welsh National Youth Opera). Other work includes Foreman in Trial by Jury
, and the subsequent Chandos recording (BBC National Orchestra of Wales, St David's Hall), Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress
(Wales Millennium Centre), Sweeney in Sweeney Todd (Norwich Playhouse), Harasta in The Cunning Little Vixen (Cardiff Sherman) and Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia.
at the Queen's Theatre
, playing the parts of Courfeyrac and Bamatabois, and understudying the roles of Enjolras and the Bishop of Digne (both first cover). He was part of the 21st Anniversary Cast, performing at the special BBC Radio 2 concert.
In 2008, he returned to Les Misérables, now as principal Enjolras
. After the cast change in June 2009, he stayed on for the 2009/2010 season as well. He left the show on the 19th June 2010, having played the role to much acclaim and attention from the public.
revival of the Sondheim
/Lapine
musical Passion
alongside Elena Roger
and Scarlett Strallen
, with previews starting on 10 September 2010 and opening night on 21 September 2010. He won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
and Massive Attack
, the band blends electronic and live instruments to create a unique sound. They are reportedly currently working on a studio album.
, taking over from Joseph Millson who portrayed Raoul in the Original Cast. He played this role at the Adelphi Theatre
opposite Ramin Karimloo
as the Phantom and Celia Graham as Christine until it ended on August 27, 2011.
Donmar Warehouse
Donmar Warehouse is a small not-for-profit theatre in the Covent Garden area of London, with a capacity of 251.-About:Under the artistic leadership of Michael Grandage, the theatre has presented some of London’s most memorable award-winning theatrical experiences, as well as garnered critical...
's Passion
Passion (musical)
Passion is a musical adapted from Ettore Scola's film Passione d'Amore . The book is by James Lapine, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Central subjects include obsession, beauty, power, manipulation, passion, illness, and love...
, for which he won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He previously appeared as Enjolras
Enjolras
Enjolras is the charismatic leader of the Friends of the ABC in the 1862 novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.- The Friends of the ABC :...
in the West End production of Les Misérables
Les Misérables (musical)
Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
. In March 2011, he joined the cast of Love Never Dies
Love Never Dies
Love Never Dies may refer to:*Love Never Dies , an American silent drama directed by King Vidor*Love Never Dies , an Argentine romantic drama directed and written by Luis César Amadori...
, undertaking the role of Raoul de Chagny.
Training
He attended Grimston Primary School and Springwood High School in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, and subsequently won a scholarship to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, following a four year vocal studies course, where he was awarded Young Welsh Musical Theatre Singer of the Year 2005 and was runner-up in the Kathleen Ferrier Young Singers’ Bursary. He was also a member of Only Men Aloud!Only Men Aloud!
Only Men Aloud! is a male voice choir from Wales. The choir came to national prominence in the UK when they won the Last Choir Standing competition run by BBC television during 2008.-Overview:...
.
Early Theatre
As a member of the National Youth Music TheatreNational Youth Music Theatre
The National Youth Music Theatre or NYMT is a UK organisation for young people in the field of musical theatre, based in London. It runs acting auditions, workshops, and musical theatre productions...
, he was part of the world premiere of Richard Taylor's Warchild. He was a soloist at the opening gala for the Wales Millenium Centre in 2004 and created the role of the Wolf in the world premiere of John Doyle's The Tailors Daughter (Welsh National Youth Opera). Other work includes Foreman in Trial by Jury
Trial by Jury
Trial by Jury is a comic opera in one act, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It was first produced on 25 March 1875, at London's Royalty Theatre, where it initially ran for 131 performances and was considered a hit, receiving critical praise and outrunning its...
, and the subsequent Chandos recording (BBC National Orchestra of Wales, St David's Hall), Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress
The Rake's Progress
The Rake's Progress is an opera in three acts and an epilogue by Igor Stravinsky. The libretto, written by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman, is based loosely on the eight paintings and engravings A Rake's Progress of William Hogarth, which Stravinsky had seen on May 2, 1947, in a Chicago...
(Wales Millennium Centre), Sweeney in Sweeney Todd (Norwich Playhouse), Harasta in The Cunning Little Vixen (Cardiff Sherman) and Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia.
Les Misérables
From 2005 to 2007, David Thaxton was an ensemble member in the London production of Les MisérablesLes Misérables (musical)
Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
at the Queen's Theatre
Queen's Theatre
The Queen's Theatre is a West End theatre located in Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. It opened on 8 October 1907 as a twin to the neighbouring Gielgud Theatre which opened ten months earlier. Both theatres were designed by W.G.R...
, playing the parts of Courfeyrac and Bamatabois, and understudying the roles of Enjolras and the Bishop of Digne (both first cover). He was part of the 21st Anniversary Cast, performing at the special BBC Radio 2 concert.
In 2008, he returned to Les Misérables, now as principal Enjolras
Enjolras
Enjolras is the charismatic leader of the Friends of the ABC in the 1862 novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.- The Friends of the ABC :...
. After the cast change in June 2009, he stayed on for the 2009/2010 season as well. He left the show on the 19th June 2010, having played the role to much acclaim and attention from the public.
Passion
In March 2010, Thaxton was confirmed to have accepted the offer to play the part of Giorgio in the Donmar WarehouseDonmar Warehouse
Donmar Warehouse is a small not-for-profit theatre in the Covent Garden area of London, with a capacity of 251.-About:Under the artistic leadership of Michael Grandage, the theatre has presented some of London’s most memorable award-winning theatrical experiences, as well as garnered critical...
revival of the Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Joshua Sondheim is an American composer and lyricist for stage and film. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award...
/Lapine
James Lapine
James Lapine is an American stage director and librettist. He has won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical three times, for Into the Woods, Falsettos, and Passion. He has frequently collaborated with Stephen Sondheim and William Finn.-Biography:Lapine was born in Mansfield, Ohio and graduated...
musical Passion
Passion (musical)
Passion is a musical adapted from Ettore Scola's film Passione d'Amore . The book is by James Lapine, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Central subjects include obsession, beauty, power, manipulation, passion, illness, and love...
alongside Elena Roger
Elena Roger
Elena Silvia Roger is an Argentine actress who won the 2009 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Édith Piaf in Piaf. She has also appeared in the West End in Evita, Boeing-Boeing, and Passion...
and Scarlett Strallen
Scarlett Strallen
Scarlett Strallen is a British stage actress who made her Broadway debut on 9 October 2008 at the New Amsterdam Theatre playing the title role of Mary Poppins...
, with previews starting on 10 September 2010 and opening night on 21 September 2010. He won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
Glasgow Coma Score
David Thaxton is also a founding member of band Glasgow Coma Score, which was formed in 2000. With influences including RadioheadRadiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
and Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
, the band blends electronic and live instruments to create a unique sound. They are reportedly currently working on a studio album.
Love Never Dies
David Thaxton portrayed Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny in the second cast of Love Never DiesLove Never Dies
Love Never Dies may refer to:*Love Never Dies , an American silent drama directed by King Vidor*Love Never Dies , an Argentine romantic drama directed and written by Luis César Amadori...
, taking over from Joseph Millson who portrayed Raoul in the Original Cast. He played this role at the Adelphi Theatre
Adelphi Theatre
The Adelphi Theatre is a 1500-seat West End theatre, located on the Strand in the City of Westminster. The present building is the fourth on the site. The theatre has specialised in comedy and musical theatre, and today it is a receiving house for a variety of productions, including many musicals...
opposite Ramin Karimloo
Ramin Karimloo
Ramin Karimloo is an Iranian-born Canadian musical theatre actor, recognized chiefly for his work in London's West End. He has played the leading male roles in both of the West End’s longest running musicals; the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, as of 29th...
as the Phantom and Celia Graham as Christine until it ended on August 27, 2011.