Devon actor up for award after West End debut

Ed Larkin has been nominated in the Best Performer in a Musical category for the What's On Stage awards

An actor from Devon has been nominated for a prestigious performance award following his West End debut.

Ed Larkin, 25, from Bere Alston, has been nominated in the Best Performer in a Musical category for the What's On Stage awards.

His lead role in The Little Big Things at the Soho Place Theatre is his first in a West End musical.

Mr Larkin said it was a "real honour" to be "the first actor in a wheelchair to lead a West End musical".

'Huge honour'

Mr Larkin plays Henry Fraser in the show which is based on the true story of a teenage rugby player paralysed in an accident on holiday.

He said: "It's a huge honour to be recognised in this way. I'm so blessed to be starring as the main character in a mainstream musical at this stage in my career.

"To be the first actor in a wheelchair to lead a West End musical feels like a real honour and something I am incredibly proud of.

"Hopefully this show will open up other doors for disabled actors and start a conversation about diversity in the industry especially musical theatre."

Mr Larkin said although it was positive, he asked why it had "taken this long to see someone like me represented in musical theatre".

"This needs to change - hopefully it will," he said.

The What's on Stage Awards will take place on Sunday at a ceremony at the London Palladium

The musical was the brainchild of Plymouth lyricist and composer Nick Butcher, who read the real life Mr Fraser's best-selling memoir and got the author's blessing to set his story to music.

He said watching Mr Larkin's audition was "one of those special moments when you immediately know you've found the actor you've been looking for".

Mr Butcher said: "He had the combination of raw undiscovered talent, a great singing voice and a warmth that made you feel safe - not to mention his uncanny resemblance with Henry Fraser.

"We invited him to take part in a workshop and all the puzzle pieces fell into place.

"It was only during rehearsals we realised we were both from Plymouth and I felt incredibly proud that artists from the south west are making history in London's West End with The Little Big Things."

'Opportunities out there'

Mr Larkin said his love of rugby gave him an affinity with the character he plays.

He trains with the West Country Hawks, a wheelchair rugby club based at Plymouth's Life Centre.

Hannah Boyle, a player for the team, said seeing Mr Larkin perform showed "there are so many more opportunities out there".

She said: "It allows people to push through the barriers.

"Having that visibility is a huge aspect. I hope to see others do what Ed's done and do more."

The What's on Stage Awards will take place later at the London Palladium.