Giant TV debut for county student Eddie
SCHOOLBOY IS STARRING OPPOSITE DAVID WALLIAMS IN CHRISTMAS TV SPECIAL
A LEICESTERSHIRE schoolboy is making his screen debut starring in a Christmas TV special opposite David Walliams.
Eddie Karanja, a pupil at Ratcliffe College, will play Jack in a Jack and the Beanstalk sequel on Sky One this Christmas.
Co-writer Walliams will play the giant in the hour-long film, which is set after the events of the traditional fairytale and sees the giant surviving his fall from the beanstalk but suffering memory loss.
Not wanting to be eaten, Jack takes advantage of the giant’s amnesia and convinces him they are good friends.
Others starring in the film include Sheridan Smith, from Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, and Blake Harrison, from The Inbetweeners.
Eddie said he had always felt performing was in his blood. “I’ve always enjoyed singing, dancing and acting and it was an amazing experience, so much fun,” he said.
“It was so good to see behind the scenes of the production and understand more about how these shows are created.”
While this is Eddie’s first onscreen role, he previously appeared as Michael Darling in the De Montfort Hall production of Peter Pan and was also Kurt Von Trapp in The Sound of Music at the Little Theatre in Dover Street,
Leicester. He recently went for another audition in London and got not one but three roles for the UK tour of Motown the Musical. He will be playing young versions of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and the Motown Records executive Berry Gordie. Eddie’s parents, John and Maggie, said: “Ratcliffe College have provided Eddie with opportunities from the start, including drama club, musical theatre, school choir and The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
“The school, family and friends have all fully supported and encouraged him in everything he has done so far.
“We are all so very proud of him.” Jonathan Reddin, headmaster of Ratcliffe College, in Ratcliffe on the Wreake, said: “Here at Ratcliffe we really do encourage big ideas and Eddie’s story is an example of how we nurture the God-given talent in all of our students.
“We are excited about his future.” Jack and The Beanstalk: After Ever After is due to air on Sky One at 8pm on Wednesday, December 23.
It was so good to see behind the scenes and understand more about how these shows are created
Eddie Karanja