Izzard funds Italian Job art installation

Eddie Izzard is funding a new sculpture recreating the final scene of The Italian Job.

The comic is the principle sponsor of Hang On A Minute Lads, I’ve Got A Great Idea… which will involve balancing a full-sized replica coach, from the roof of the roof of the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex.

The piece, from artist Richard Wilson and named after Michael Caine’s last line in the 1969 film, will be on display from July 7 to October 1.

Izzard, who is honorary patron of the theatre, said: ‘2012 is the year the Olympics and Paralympic Games return to the United Kingdom and I think this is a perfect time to hang a large bus off the edge of a building in a seaside town.

‘By the end of 2012, I would hope that the word goes out from our country that not only do we run excellent world events, but also we balance coaches on the edges of buildings like no one else ever could.’

Izzard spent some of his childhood years in Bexhill, and last year performed a small run of gigs on the venue’s roof.

The work’s other backers are the Arts Council England Grants For The Arts via the National Lottery and The Henry Moore Foundation.

Here is a clip of Izzard’s rooftop gigs:

Published: 24 Feb 2012