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David Walliams discusses
his latest childeren’s story ahead of it’s Newcastle show
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Image: © Tony Ross
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The First Hippo on the
Moon
Newcastle Tyne Theatre
and Opera House
Saturday 4th February 2017
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David Walliams
Photo:
David Parry/ PA Wire
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From Number One bestselling Children’s author David Walliams
comes an explosively funny space adventure for children of 3 and up. Two big
hippos. One enormous dream. Who can make it to the moon first?
3 ...2 ...1 ...BLAST OFF!
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David Walliams on
stage with the cast of
The First Hippo
on the Moon,
adapted for the
stage by Les Petits Theatre
Photo:
David Parry/ PA Wire
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David Walliams has taken the literary world by storm and his
brilliantly funny stories are adored by children the world over! He has achieved unprecedented critical
acclaim and quickly developed a reputation as a
natural successor to Roald Dahl. His books have
been translated into over 45 languages and sold over 9.5 million copies in the UK alone.
Here is what David thinks of the latest story of his to hit the
stage…
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David Walliams
Photo:
David Parry/ PA Wire
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Tell us about the history
of The First Hippo on the Moon and where the idea for the book came from.
“I have always been
fascinated with the space race of the 1960s and wanted to do a spoof on that. I
like the idea of hippos going to the moon as they are the animals least likely
to. It’s a very visual book, with amazing illustrations by Tony Ross, so it
should be a very colourful stage production.“
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Photo: The
Other Richard
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What drew you to working
with Les Petits Theatre Company / Les Enfants Terribles for this project? Had
you seen any of their work previously?
“I have loved their work
for many years so jumped at the chance to work with them. I love great
children’s theatre shows, especially now I am a father, so am very excited to
see this one. The book is full of humour and I know that are the perfect choice
of theatre company to bring that out as there shows are so irreverent and
funny. The best shows for children work for the grown-ups too, and I am sure
this one will.”
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Photo: The
Other Richard
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This isn’t the first
stage adaptation of your work, how does it feel seeing your characters come to
life in the theatre?
“I love seeing
adaptations of my books, and really enjoy the changes. I come from writing for
television which is very collaborative and have always like working with other
people. Ultimately you feel like a magician when something that was in your
head becomes real.”
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Photo: The
Other Richard
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If families were to take
one message away from The First Hippo on the Moon then what would it be?
“That whoever you are you
should dream big, just like Sheila the hippo. Plus if you work together as a
team, then you can achieve so much more.”
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Photo: The
Other Richard
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Are you inspired by any
other current children’s writers? Which ones did you love reading as a child?
“There are so many great
writers for children right now. My personal favourites right now are JK
Rowling, Julia Donaldson, Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo. When I a
young child I loved Richard Scarry and Dr Seuss. My absolute hero is Roald
Dahl. He is the greatest children’s writer of all time as he wrote so many
brilliant books. I tend to be influenced by everything good I read, though it
is pointless trying to copy anybody.“
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Photo: The
Other Richard
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If after seeing or
reading The First Hippo on the Moon,
young writers were inspired to pick up a pen to create their own story, what
advice would you give them?
“I think it’s important
you write a story you would like to read. If you like funny stories write a
funny story, if you like scary ones write a scary one. You can never guess what
it is people want to read, so it is best you write something for yourself. If
other people like it that’s a bonus.”
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Photo: The
Other Richard
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And finally - If, like
Shelia, you could build a hippo-po-rocket and go anywhere in space where would
it be and why?
“I would like to go to
Mars. You can forget the books and the comedy shows I feel I would definitely
be remembered if I was the first person to go there!”
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Photo: The
Other Richard
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Les Petits
Theatre Company have announced the full cast and ten further tour dates for the
world premiere of the stage adaptation of David Walliams’ The First Hippo on the Moon. The cast includes Dominic Allen, Alice
Bounce, Caroline Bowman, Owen Jenkins and Rosie Nicholls.
Adapted for the stage by acclaimed award winning Theatre company Les
Petits and hot off the heals of their hugely successful Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs tour and immersive hit Adventures in Wonderland, comes a
fantastical adventure featuring puppetry, music, mayhem and a giant space race
to the moon!
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Photo: The
Other Richard
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The creative team have worked on such hit shows such as Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, The Nationals’ Elephantom, War Horse and Raymond Briggs’ The Bear.
Les Petits was set up as the sister company to 'razor sharp theatre
group' (The Telegraph) Les Enfants Terribles whose work includes The Trench, The Vaudevillains and Alice’s Adventures Underground.
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Photo: The
Other Richard
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The
production has been adapted for the stage by Les Enfants Terribles and Les
Petits’ Artistic Director Oliver Lansley whose recent adaptations have included
the immersive dining experience Dinner at
the Twits and Alice’s Adventure’s
Underground. The puppets for The
First Hippo on the Moon have been created by Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell
who have previously collaborated on War
Horse and The Lorax. The First Hippo on the Moon is suitable
for children aged three and up.
Based on David Walliams’ original children’s book with
illustrations by Tony Ross, The First
Hippo on the Moon is an explosively funny space adventure which sees the
enormously rich Hercules Waldorf-Franklin III and
ingenious Shelia compete to be the first hippo to make it to the moon.
David
Walliams has taken the literary world by storm and his brilliantly funny
stories are adored by children the world over. He has achieved unprecedented
critical acclaim and quickly developed a reputation as a natural successor to
Roald Dahl.
 |
David Walliams
Photo:
David Parry/ PA Wire
|
The First Hippo on the
Moon has been adapted for the stage by acclaimed theatre
company Les Petits following their hugely successful production of Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs.
The creative team at Les Petits have also worked on Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax at The Old Vic and the National Theatre’s
productions of Elephantom, War Horse
and Raymond Briggs’ The Bear. Les
Petits was set up as the sister company to Les Enfants Terribles whose work
includes Dinner at the Twits, The Game’s
Afoot, The Trench, The Vaudevillains and Olivier nominated Alice’s Adventures Underground.
On
The Web:
@PetitsTheatre / #FirstHippo / www.lespetitstheatre.com
Tickets
The First Hippo on the Moon
appears at Newcastle’s Tyne
Theatre and Opera House on Saturday
4th February 2017 at 1.30pm
Tickets are priced £15 adults,
£12 under 16's & concessions, £48 family ticket (1 adult & 3 children
or 2 adults & 2 children) (Plus booking fees when booking online or over
the phone).
The Tyne Theatre & Opera House is open 10am-3.30pm Monday to Friday and Event Days.
Booking Line: 0844 2491 000 or online at http://tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/events/the-first-hippo-on-the-moon/
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