Photos

1st Night Photos: Dame Edna Welcomes Possums to Wimbledon

Australian housewife and comedy icon Dame Edna Everage (the on-stage and television alter-ego of comedian Barry Humphries) made her pantomime debut at the New Wimbledon Theatre last night (15 December, previews from 9 December 2011) playing the Saviour of London in the First Family Entertainment production of Dick Whittington. The production continues until 15 January 2012.

Dame Edna follows in the footsteps of a host of stars to grace the New Wimbledon stage – last year’s production of Peter Pan saw American chat show host Jerry Springer and Knight Rider veteran David Hasselhoff share the role of Captain Hook (a role Hasselhoff reprises at Bristol Hippodrome this Christmas).

The New Wimbledon 2009 production of Aladdin saw Pamela Anderson, Paul O’Grady, Ruby Wax and Anita Dobson share the role of the Genie alongside Brian Blessed, whilst Happy Days star Henry Winkler appeared in theatre’s 2006 Christmas show.

Dame Edna, billed as a “global gigastar”, appears alongside 2011 Dancing on Ice champion Sam Attwater as Dick Whittington and Nickelodeon presenter Anna Williamson as Alice as well as Anthony Houghton, Richard Calkin and Eric Potts.

The cast and crew were joined to celebrate their opening night by guests including June Whitfield, Tasmin Lucia Khan, Angellica Bell and Michael Underwood.

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PHOTOS BY DAN WOOLLER FOR WHATSONSTAGE.COM.