From Hell's Kitchen to Peter Pan
COMEDY legend Adrian Edmondson will play the star role of Captain Hook in Peter Pan, this year's Marlowe Theatre pantomime.
The 52-year-old, who last night was runner-up in the live final of the ITV reality cookery show Hell's Kitchen, is probably best know for his roles in The Young Ones and Bottom and is married to comedienne Jennifer Saunders.
Peter Pan takes place at the Marlowe Theatre Arena and once again will be produced by Evolution, otherwise known as Paul Hendy and Emily Wood.
Paul is thrilled to have Ade on board. He said: "He is a comedy icon, a genuinely talented performer and an extremely funny man. Over the years, the Marlowe panto has built a reputation as being one of the best in the country; with Ade on board, I think this will be our funniest ever. Who'd have thought that Vyvyan from the Young Ones would end up doing the Ghost Gag routine?"
Paul went on: "I'm very excited about the whole show. All the usual elements will be there: the jokes, the music, the audience participation, but because the show is in this incredible theatre tent, we can make it even more thrilling. For example, Peter Pan will fly over the audience (Dave Lee has asked if he can fly over the audience but we said no!).
"The tent is centrally heated and the seats will be very comfortable. I think people will enjoy the experience even more than usual."
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Ade's career started at the University of Manchester, where he met his future comedy partner Rik Mayall. Under the name 20th Century Coyote they became one of the star attractions at the Comedy Store. As their popularity grew, they broke away to set up their own venue, The Comic Strip club, along with other upcoming comedians Alexi Sayle, Nigel Planer and French and Saunders.
In 1982, Ade and co were commissioned to appear in a Channel 4 series, The Comic Strip Presents ... and at the same time, the BBC signed Ade up to star in The Young Ones (along with Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Alexi Sayle and Christopher Ryan). Ade played the stereotypical violent punk-rocker Vyvyan Basterd, who became something of a cult figure.
Ade's career continued to grow and in 1986 he reunited with The Young Ones to release Cliff Richard's Living Doll, which was to become a number one hit and was in aid of Comic Relief.
A year later, Ade teamed up with Rik and Nigel again to star in the successful Filthy, Rich and Catflap. He then made an appearance in Blackadder.
After a spell in the West End run of The Rocky Horror Show, Ade reunited with Rik again, this time co-writing and co-starring in Bottom (he played Edward Elizabeth Umgutumbaba Hitler). Bottom proved so popular it was incarnated into five UK arena tours.
Ade has gone on to write, act (both comedy and straight roles for tv and film), do voice-overs and direct pop videos. Last year he founded the band The Bad Shepherds, who perform punk and new wave classics on folk instruments. The band will be touring extensively this year.
Ade now lives in Devon with Jennifer and their three daughters. Jennifer and her comedy partner Dawn French were presented with the Academy Fellowship at the British Academy Television Awards on Sunday.
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Appearing alongside Ade in Peter Pan, will be Kent comic Dave Lee, in his fourteenth Marlowe panto. Also making a welcome return to Canterbury will be Ben Roddy, who was such a hit as Herman the Henchman in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, John and the other characters have yet to be cast.
Peter Pan will be at the Marlowe Theatre Arena, which will be situated at the Kingsmead Coach Park, from Saturday, December 5 to Sunday, January 17. For times and ticket details, call the Marlowe Box Office on 01227 787787 from 10am to 7pm Monday to Saturday, call into the Visitor Information Centre (opposite the Cathedral) from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday or go online to
www.newmarlowetheatre.org.uk
ENDS
all those years ago.
