Ratcliffe’s Eddie stars alongside David Walliams on Sky One this Christmas!

Ratcliffe College always encourages big ideas and what bigger idea can a young person have than to be on National television at Christmas? This year, Ratcliffe student Eddie Karanja will appear alongside David Walliams and Sheridan Smith in Jack & The Beanstalk After Ever After on Sky One.

Eddie takes the lead role as Jack in this original family tale, which is told in the style of Walliams’ best-selling children’s books and deals with the events following the ‘happily ever after’ ending of the original story.

The fairy-tale features an interesting twist: when Jack (Eddie) discovers the Giant (David Walliams) is not dead, merely concussed and suffering memory loss, Jack pretends they’re friends to avoid being eaten. During the adventure, Jack and the Giant discover they have more in common than they thought and learn to work together.

Eddie said: “I’ve always enjoyed singing, dancing and acting and it was an amazing experience – so much fun!”

He commented: “It was so good to actually see behind the scenes of the production and understand more about how these shows are created.”

Eddie is no stranger to the spotlight as he has recently been cast as Michael Darling in the Leicester DeMontfort Hall production of Peter Pan as well as Kurt Von Trapp in The Sound of Music at the Little Theatre.

Eddie’s Parents, John and Maggie said: “Eddie went for another audition in London and got a part to be in Motown the Musical, UK tour to play the role young Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Berry Gordie.”

They added: “Ratcliffe College have provided Eddie with opportunities from the start, including; Drama Club, Musical Theatre, School Choir and LAMDA. 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.”

Eddie really is a credit to the school and an inspiration to others, a sentiment shared by Ratcliffe College Headmaster, Mr Jonathan Reddin, who 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 will premiere on 23^rd December at 8pm on Sky One and Now TV!

Click here to meet the cast!

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