Gloucestershire-born Olympian Howard Timms believes that many people have the potential to compete in the Olympic Games. His own story reveals a boyhood dream of athletic glory that came true by accident. Howard first previewed this true tale as a solo play at the Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham, in April, 2012, going on to perform it at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.
“Howard is a born raconteur and kept his audience gripped for nearly an hour . . . both hilarious and poignant anecdotes . . . The message was that we should try to see the humour in a situation where possible and hold on to our fighting spirit, no matter how adverse the circumstances. “
Avril Hemingfield, Gloucestershire Echo, April 2012
Performances of Accidental Olympian
No-one was more surprised than me when I became an Olympian
“Mistakenly detained in American Immigration as a terrorist suspect — because I burnt off my fingerprints — I reflect on my accident-prone life. I hope my fingerprint mishap won’t destroy my chance to watch the 2012 London Olympics, forty years after competing in the ill-fated Munich games. No-one was more surprised than me when a road accident that destroyed my knee eventually catapulted me into the Olympics. Other mishaps punctuate my story – one, after making friends in a marathon race, even saves my life.” Howard Timms
Having learnt to perform, and run, at Cheltenham (Pate’s) Grammar School, Howard acted in Croydon, then back in Cheltenham. After that, ten years living in Chicago added play writing to his theatrical activities. His first produced musical, Good as Gold (Chicago, 2008), had an Olympic theme. Howard’s solo musical show Let The Lady Sing was in the Chicago Fringe Festival of 2011, and at the Playhouse in March 2012.
Directed by Caroline Young, and produced by Edgy Stagers, Accidental Olympian first previewed (without mishap!) on Friday, April 13, 2012, at the Playhouse Theatre, Bath Road, Cheltenham. Subsequent previews took place on April 14 and June 20, before the premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2012.
The previews were charity fund raisers for the British Heart Foundation and Coopers Edge Trust.
Further information: Howard Timms: 01452 372726
Edgy Stagers is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No 7813914
Edgy Stagers provides performance training and opportunity for the residents of Coopers Edge, Brockworth, and stages productions for community building and charitable purposes. It received generous initial funding from Coopers Edge Dragons Den.
