The Child Catcher On Stage
On stage the childcatcher has been played by
- Richard O'Brien
- Paul O'Grady
- Peter Polycarpou
- Derek Griffiths
- Wayne Sleep
- Lionel Blair
- Stephen Gately
- Alvin Stardust
- Kevin Kennedy
- Ian Watkins
- Christopher Timothy
- Jimmy Saville
In the latest UK tour, the character features far less than in the original UK tour and in the London Palladium production. The actor playing the Child Catcher in the show now also plays the minor role of the Junkman at the start of the show.
The Child Catcher also appeared in the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in London during a segment dedicated to classic villains of children's literature. He appeared alongside inflatable representations of Cruella de Vil, Lord Voldemort, The Queen of Hearts and Captain Hook. He is noticably the only villain not to be an inflatable replica.
Read more about this topic: Child Catcher
Famous quotes containing the words child and/or stage:
“A child... who has learned from fairy stories to believe that what at first seemed a repulsive, threatening figure can magically change into a most helpful friend is ready to believe that a strange child whom he meets and fears may also be changed from a menace into a desirable companion.”
—Bruno Bettelheim (20th century)
“The Stage but echoes back the publick Voice.
The Drama’s Laws the Drama’s Patrons give,
For we that live to please, must please to live.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)