Trio's joy at landing Jackson roles

3:39pm Thursday 4th December 2008

Three teenage boys have spoken of their joy at playing the role of their idol Michael Jackson in the West End performance of Thriller-Live.

The boys, all aged 13, will star in the production which celebrates the king of pop's life and features his greatest hits.

Layton Williams, from Wren Drive, Bury, Greater Manchester, Sterling Williams, from Dalton Avenue, Mitcham, south London and Kieran Alleyne, from Glenhills Boulevard, Leicester, rehearsed together at the Lyric Theatre after meeting for the first time on Wednesday.

The three boys, who will play the lead role in rotation, sported afro hairdos and 70s clothing, including large flares and woollen tank tops as they rehearsed the classic Jackson 5 hit I Want You Back.

Layton Williams, the most experienced of the three stars, was the first black Billy Elliot and the second longest-running star in the show's history. He finished working on Billy Elliot on November 30. Layton said that living up to the king of pop will be very challenging. "It's quite scary that we have to be him (Michael Jackson) because he was so amazing. I'm just going to have to do my best," he said.

Layton's early career contrasts that of Kieran Alleyne, a self-confessed "rookie" whose only stage experience was in a school tribute performance.

Kieran won the part after beating 60 other hopefuls at the open auditions. He said: "I've always looked up to Michael Jackson. He has always been an idol to me and I've always been trying to follow in his footsteps and to get into a singing career. I'm really overwhelmed to be performing in a show which is a tribute to him."

The last member of the trio, Sterling Williams, is again no stranger to stage performances, having played Simba in the West End performance of The Lion King.

Wearing a pair of multi-coloured striped flares, he said that after being a child model he decided acting was his destiny. He said: "When I found out I had got this part I was jumping around and hugging my mum. I was so excited and happy. I love singing his (Jackson's) songs, so this is the perfect role for me."

The boys will be directed by award winning choreographer Gary Lloyd, who has worked with a number of stars including Robbie Williams, Tom Jones and Cliff Richard. The opening performance for Thriller-Live is on January 2.