Fred Astaire’s tap shoes make Eastbourne appearance

Top Hat Star ‘Puttin’ On the Ritz in Eastbourne with Fred Astaire’s Tap Shoes

Debonair Alan Burkitt, star of the West End hit musical Top Hat that opened in Eastbourne last night, tries on a pair of tap shoes said to belong to tap dancing legend Fred Astaire.

The shoes belong to Simon Brown from St Leonards and were bequeathed to him by his mother, Elizabeth Webster, a fashion designer in the 50s who attended many showbiz parties at the time.

Fred Astaire was said to have given many of his shoes as keepsakes to friends. Mr Brown says the shoes are signed with Fred in three places, are in size 8½, which is Fred Astaire’s shoe size, and is made by Annello and Davide, a company renowned for manufacturing theatrical footwear and ballet shoes.

Alan, said the shoes fitted perfectly, and gave them a twirl.

Catch Alan Burkitt in Top Hat which plays the Congress Theatre until Saturday 25 July, with nightly performances at 7.30pm and three 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tickets £30 – £44.50. Book online ateastbournetheatres.co.uk or call box office on 01323 412000. For behind-the-scenes access and news of the latest shows to go on-sale find EBTheatres on Facebook and Twitter. ENDS