Jonathan Williams

Actor and Singer

Jonathan Williams was born in Pontypool on 13 January 1978 but his early years were anything but settled. The first ten years of his life took him across three continents: Abu Dhabi, Northampton and South Africa. After seven years in Southampton, he finally returned to Wales and put down roots in Cwmbran, the new town in Torfaen that sits in the valley between Pontypool and Newport.

It was in Cwmbran that Jonathan found his stage. He became a member of wawwa - the Cwmbran-based Musical Theatre Company that has launched a remarkable number of Welsh performers onto the professional stage. He was also a vocalist with the John Oliver Band, developing a voice of extraordinary range and flexibility that would eventually take him to London's West End.

His breakthrough came when he was cast in Les Misérables at the West End, where he played both Lesgles and, in a testament to his remarkable vocal range, Jean Valjean the lead role in one of the most vocally demanding shows in the musical theatre canon. The role of Jean Valjean requires a tenor of exceptional power, warmth and emotional reach. Audiences who saw Jonathan Williams in the role were not disappointed. Those who saw him perform on the famouswelsh.com page have written of his "wonderful voice" and "many ranges."

Born in Pontypool, raised across three continents, returned to Cwmbran - and from there to London's West End as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. A voice of many ranges and a Welsh talent of the first order

Wales has a long and glorious tradition of producing voices of exceptional quality for the musical theatre stage from Ivor Emmanuel to Bryn Terfel and Jonathan Williams stands proudly in that lineage. The role of Jean Valjean, the escaped convict who becomes a man of honour in Victor Hugo's great novel, is one of the most coveted tenor roles in musical theatre. It requires an actor who can carry the emotional weight of a man's entire life across three hours of performance. That Jonathan Williams was entrusted with the role is a measure of the esteem in which he was held.

The wawwa Musical Theatre Company in Cwmbran, of which Jonathan was a founding member, continues to be one of the most vibrant musical theatre companies in South Wales. Jonathan is now one of the company's patrons, a mark of the affection and respect in which he is held by the community that shaped him.

Career Highlights

Born in Pontypool, 13 January 1978 -- spent first decade in Abu Dhabi, Northampton and South Africa
Member of wawwa Musical Theatre Company, Cwmbran -- now a patron of the company
Vocalist with the John Oliver Band
West End debut in Les Misérables -- playing both Lesgles and Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is one of the most demanding tenor roles in the musical theatre canon
Praised by audiences for his wonderful voice and many ranges

ℹ️ Born 13 January 1978 in Pontypool, Torfaen, Wales

Born in Pontypool, Wales, Jonathan returned to Cwmbran after years abroad.

Les Misérables -- Original London Cast Recording [CD]

The definitive original London cast recording of the show that gave Jonathan Williams his West End breakthrough -- featuring some of the most celebrated songs in musical theatre history including Bring Him Home and I Dreamed a Dream.

Available at Amazon

From: sychelle

One time member of wawwa the Musical Theatre Company Cwmbran and was blessed with a beautiful voice.

From: vanjean1

We have seen him in Les Mis three times and he has a wonderful voice of many ranges and is a wonderful actor. Love him.

From: valleygirl7

Jonathan was in fact born in Pontypool 13-01-1978 but spent first ten years of his life in Abu Dhabi, Northampton and South Africa. After seven years in Southampton he returned to Wales, and indeed lived in Cwmbran, where he became a member of wawwa musical theater company, also a vocalist with John Oliver Band.

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