Peter Layton is Executive Director of Drama Studio London, a post-graduate level training school for actors and director, based in Ealing, West London. He trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and had a successful career as an actor until turning his hand to teaching. He played  leading roles in TV, and on stage appeared in the title roles of The Hostage and Billy Liar.

In 1980 he opened the US branch of Drama Studio London in California. During his time in the US he was appointed Executive Producer of Berkeley Shakespeare Festival and guest directed at Berkeley Repertory Company and the newly formed California Repertory Company in Monterey with landmark productions of Pygmalion, After the Fall and The Norman Conquests.

He returned to the UK in 1988 and set about building a theatre for Drama Studio London. Grange Court Theatre was opened in 1994. He now lives with his wife, Marcie and two sons Amlyn and Meirion in a remote valley in North Wales.