Eddie the Eagle lands a starring role in panto!
The world’s favourite Olympic ski jumper has landed a role in the UK’s favourite pantomime, Cinderella!
Treading the boards of the Harlequin Theatre in the aptly named Surrey town of Redhill, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards will be making his pantomime debut this December. Promising to keep his feet firmly on the ground as the search to find the girl who fits the glass slipper is brought to life, Eddie will star as Baron Hardup, Cinderella’s down-on-his-luck father.
No stranger to a challenge, Eddie hurtled to world-fame in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada, when he set a British record for his 71-metre jump. It may not have been long enough to win a medal, but Eddie won the hearts of millions of people across the world with his enduring spirit, defiant determination and infectious joy for being at the
Olympics.
Fame and fortune followed for the self-funded Olympian, with appearances across the globe, including an invitation back to Calgary to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the games, and later in 2010, he was chosen as a torchbearer in the relay for the Vancouver Olympics. Eddie has since gone on to win the first series of Splash!, where he was mentored by Olympic diver Tom Daley, he returned to the ski slopes in Channel 4’s The Jump and last year, was unmasked as Rubber Chicken in the UK version of The Masked Dancer.
The much in demand Eddie has been kept busy with after-dinner speeches, conferences and cruises, inspiring and entertaining audiences throughout the world. And of course, the smash-hit big-screen biopic starring Taran Eagerton and Hugh Jackman has introduced Eddie to a whole new world of fans.
Pantomime producer Paul Holman said:
“I’m over the moon Eddie has joined us for panto! The genuine reaction of excitement and broad smiles I get from people when I tell them about Eddie is infectious! I’m excited, my team’s excited to be working with him and the theatre can’t wait to welcome Eddie! The Eagle has landed in pantoland and audiences are going to enjoy an epic production that’s remembered for a very long time.”
Playing from 9 to 31 December 2022, Eddie will be joined by a Redhill pantomime favourite as Simon Bashford makes an eagerly anticipated return to the Harlequin as Dandini. Oliver Gray and Dean Horner bring their fiercely competitive ugly sisters, Lav and Lou to the production, funny-man Phil Reid ensures laughter will be loud and long and the delightful Elisha Ainsley is sure to steal the heart of Prince Charming!
Tickets are available from the Harlequin box office or online at harlequintheatre.co.uk
