Talk show host Jerry Springer may be used to crowds booing his questionably moralled guests, but now he will be getting a taste of the audience’s derision for himself, as he plays Captain Hook in pantomime.
The American presenter, whose self-titled show inspired the controversial musical Jerry Springer The Opera, is to play the baited buccaneer in the New Wimbledon theatre’s production of Peter Pan, replacing fellow American star David Hasselhoff for performances between 31 December and 8 January, and on 13 and 14 January.
Best known for his chat show, which set the benchmark for programmes in which members of the public shared their upsetting, depressing and often controversial stories with the world, Springer previously appeared on the London stage in long-running musical Chicago. He played sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn in the summer of 2009.
For two days only – 18 December and the 13:30 performance on 19 December – Hook will be played by Jeremy Jackson, who previously played Hasselhoff’s former on-screen son Hobie Buchanan in hit 90s lifeguarding series Baywatch.
The many Captain Hooks perform alongside one very special Roger the cabin boy; Pineapple Studios star Louie Spence is currently bringing his own flamboyant style to JM Barrie’s classic tale of fairies, lost children and a boy who won’t grow up.
MA