David Thaxton (born 12 May 1982) is a Welsh^[1] singer, actor and musical theatre and opera performer. He starred in theDonmar Warehouse'sPassion,^[2] for which he won the2011Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical.

He previously starred asEnjolras inLes Misérables and in March 2011, he joined the cast ofLove Never Dies, undertaking the role ofRaoul de Chagny. Later then playingThe Phantom inThe Phantom of the Opera atHer Majesty's Theatre andJavert in theWest End production ofLes Misérables,^[3] he also played the role of Kevin T in theLondon production ofCome from Away. In 2023, he played Max von Mayerling in the London revival ofSunset Boulevard and reprised the role for hisBroadway debut in 2024. He was nominated for a second Olivier Award for his performance.

Thaxton was born inNeath, South Wales. He attended Grimston Primary School and Springwood High School in King's Lynn, Norfolk, and subsequently won a scholarship to theRoyal Welsh College of Music and Drama,^[3] 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 ofOnly Men Aloud!.

As a member of theNational Youth Music Theatre, he was part of the world premiere of Richard Taylor'sWarchild. He was a soloist at the opening gala for theWales Millennium Centre in 2004 and created the role of the Wolf in the world premiere of John Doyle'sThe Tailors Daughter (Welsh National Youth Opera). Other work includes Foreman inTrial by Jury, and the subsequent Chandos recording (BBC National Orchestra of Wales, St David's Hall), Nick Shadow inThe Rake's Progress (Wales Millennium Centre), Sweeney inSweeney Todd (Norwich Playhouse), Harasta inThe Cunning Little Vixen (Cardiff Sherman) and Tarquinius inThe Rape of Lucretia.

From 2005 to 2007, Thaxton was an ensemble member in the London production ofLes Misérables at theQueen'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 toLes Misérables, now as principalEnjolras. After the cast change in June 2009, he stayed on for the 2009–2010 season as well. He left the show on 19 June 2010, having played the role to much acclaim and attention from the public.

Thaxton played the role ofJavert in the 2014–2015 West End production and reprised the role in 2018.^{[clarification needed]}

As of September 27th 2022, Thaxton has once again returned to the role of Javert at the Sondheim Theatre in London's West End, oppositeJon Robyns asJean Valjean. He left the show in March 2023.

In March 2010, Thaxton accepted the offer to play the part of Giorgio in theDonmar Warehouse revival of theSondheim/Lapine musicalPassion alongsideElena Roger andScarlett Strallen, with previews starting on 10 September 2010 and opening night on 21 September 2010.^[4][5] He won theOlivier Award forBest Actor in a Musical.^[6]Sondheim praised his performance for bringing the show "properly into focus" and making Giorgio the center of attention.^[7]

Thaxton portrayed Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny in the second cast ofLove Never Dies, taking over from Joseph Millson who portrayed Raoul in the original cast. He played this role at theAdelphi Theatre until it closed on 27 August 2011.

From 23 November to 22 February 2013, Thaxton portrayed Maximilian inCandide at theMenier Chocolate Factory, alongsideFra Fee andScarlett Strallen.

Thaxton is a member of the band Unborn Twin (formerly Glasgow Coma Score). On 12 January 2012, they announced that they would be issuing their first EP (Distort and Merge EP) and on 12 April of the same year would play a concert at London's Bush Hall. Following on from this the band released the CD and download single "Suffer This", and have played several shows at venues such as Norwich Arts Centre, 93 Feet East and the Dublin Castle in Camden.^[8]

In October 2018, Thaxton playedKing Arthur in the London Musical Theatre Orchestra production ofCamelot at theLondon Palladium. He starred oppositeSavannah Stevenson and Charles Rice as Guenevere and Lancelot.^[9]

From December 2018 to May 2019, Thaxton played a limited engagement asThe Phantom inAndrew Lloyd Webber'sThe Phantom of the Opera filling in forTim Howar in the West End.^[10]

In September 2019, he joined the West End cast ofCome From Away as Kevin T, Garth and others.^[11]

In 2023, he played Max von Mayerling in a West End revival ofSunset Boulevard.^[12] He made hisBroadway debut when this production transferred in 2024.^[13]

• List of British actors

• Official Les Misérables Website
• Unofficial West End Les Misérables Website
• Unborn Twin WebsiteArchived 2 April 2013 at theWayback Machine

• 1982 births
• Living people
• Actors from Neath
• 21st-century Welsh male opera singers
• Welsh male musical theatre actors
• Laurence Olivier Award winners
• 21st-century Welsh male actors

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