Grab your boots and get ready for those muddy puddles - Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show is heading out on tour.
Before the show heads to the Lowry for half term - it’s also in Manchester and Blackpool later in the year - we caught up with the cast - Cinem Gopaul, Emma Hilts, David Tudor, Charlie Culkin and Cate Brooks.
They talk about behind the puppets, family moments, and why Peppa’s world continues to bring smiles to little (and big) faces everywhere.
Emma and David (who are married in real life) you’ve toured before as a couple with your own little one. David you play Daddy Pig, has that changed your connection him as a character, especially now they have a new addition to the family in this show?
David: It’s made the show really special. Having our son, Jamie, who’s nearly two now, adds an extra layer to it. We get the excitement and the chaos of family life.
Emma: Yes, it’s been quite nostalgic, actually. Going back to those sleepless nights, hospital trips, and first-time-parent moments has helped us relate to what Peppa’s family are going through, just with fewer muddy puddles.
Charlie you’re playing a pregnant Mummy Pig. How’s that been for you?
Charlie: Oh, I love it. I’ve become so attached to the bump and to the baby puppet, Evie, when she arrives later in the show. I don’t have children myself, but I’ve got lots of nieces and nephews, so that maternal instinct is definitely there.
It’s been so lovely seeing the positive reactions from parents in the audience. You can see them nodding along like, 'Yes, that’s exactly how it feels'. Having Emma and David in rehearsals was great because they’d go, 'Actually, that’s not quite how babies work'. So it all comes from a really heartfelt place.
Unlike some previous Peppa live shows, you’re all playing multiple roles and sharing puppets. How does that work?
Emma: It’s great. We do tend to have a lead puppet we work with. For me, that’s Peppa, but we move around a lot, and it makes it feel like a real ensemble piece. It gives us lots of freedom to do things with the puppets that we may not have done before.
Cate: Yes, it’s such a team effort. We all understand and love these characters, so when you hand a puppet over, it’s like passing on a family member. It’s really seamless for the audience, and that is the best compliment we can get.
Cinem: Playing Daisy also lets me be hands-on with the puppets, which is amazing. It’s a different energy from being a normal stage performer because you’re literally bringing someone to life right in front of the kids, and that interaction is priceless.
As the only ‘human’ character on stage, tell us about playing Daisy.
Cinem: Daisy is brilliant. She’s like the big sister or cool babysitter of the Peppa world. She’s full of energy and always ready with an answer to Peppa and George’s big questions, like, 'When will we know if it’s a boy or a girl?' or 'How do we decorate the baby’s room?'
She’s bubbly, fun, and a little bit funky. It’s so sweet seeing kids staring at her, waving, and smiling. I feel like a rock star in a way.
The puppets are the real stars of the show. How do children react when they see both you and the puppets on stage?
David: At first, you can see them notice the puppeteers, like, 'Hang on, what’s going on here?' But within about 20 seconds, they completely forget about us and focus on the puppets. It’s like Peppa and George have truly come to life in front of them. That’s when you know it’s working.
Emma: We can kind of help that along a bit, I always try to look at Peppa while she’s doing all the acting, to focus the attention onto her and to stay neutral and in the background as a puppeteer. It’s really magical to watch the kids totally suspend disbelief and forget we are there from the stage.
Charlie: It’s amazing. The moment they focus on Peppa and George is so quick. You can feel the magic in the room.
What do you think audiences will take away from this show?
David: It’s everything you love about Peppa and friends, but it has so much heart. It’s lovely to see baby Evie in real life for the first time.
Charlie: She is absolutely adorable. Those giggles!
Cate: She really is, and we have so much fun on stage. There’s lots of interaction, many songs, dancing, and, of course, muddy puddles.
Cinem: And a few surprises…
Emma: And don’t forget some absolutely amazing songs. I think it’s the best yet.
Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show is at the Lowry, Salford, from February 6 to 8, details from www.thelowry.com. It is also at the Palace Theatre, Manchester on August 14 and 15 (www.atgtickets.com) and Blackpool Grand on September 1 and 2 (www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk)
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