Play school’s Big Ted visits Tasmania in April as part of a nation wide search for his castle!
One of Prince Big Ted’s attendants in Tasmania will be a Play School ‘custodian’ Alex Papps. I spoke to Alex recently about the privilege of being a Play school presenter and his history with the show.
Alex tells me about his initial audition for Play School, a vigorous 6 minute mini episode in which the candidate must present, sing and ‘make something’ Alex passed these requirements and has been with Play School for an impressive 7 years. The presence of acting colleague Justine Clarke acting as a mentor helped smooth his addition to the show.
It has been 3 or 4 years since Alex has been in Tasmania. At that time he stayed with friends in Hobart, a city he describes as ‘beautiful’. This visit Alex hopes to see the markets, and take in the sites in the drive from Burnie to Hobart.
Alex says Play School owes some of its success to the gentle way it directly addresses each individual in the audience. The benefits of working on Play School are great for the presenter. Alex says that most of the cast are trained actors and the presenter role helps keep them ‘match fit’ and ‘limber’ for acting roles.
It’s not an easy job with the presenter needing to be multi-skilled. Alex says he is an ‘okay singer’ but whether he is a triple threat, well, his dance, he says humbly,is limited to ‘twisting in a silly fashion’.
The premise of this live production is the story of ‘Big Ted’ searching for his castle, along the way there will be songs sung and stories told, staying faithful to what viewers are familiar with on the TV show. The only difference being it will all be done with a higher energy level in the live shows.
On the subject of the princely Ted well there is some truth to the Play School toys being treated like royalty. Alex relays to me a story of travelling to a TV appearance last year and having to walk to the studio in the rain and being surprised to see the toys taken to the location by taxi!
Alex is being kept busy apart from presenting. He will have an album out on June 6 ‘Lets put the beat in our feet’, and he’s also been developing some other projects including writing and directing on Play School and directing a friend who is a’ great puppeteer’.
I have to ask the question as to what toy is Alex’s favourite, like most of the other Play School presenters he is diplomatic, explaining,who would want to disappoint the big four, Humpty, Big Ted, Jemima and Little Ted with making such a choice when all the toys are held in such high regard.
You can see the Play School tour at the following venues:
Thu 10 Apr Launceston Door of Hope
Fri 11 Apr Burnie Burnie Town Hall (Burnie Arts & Function Centre)
Sat 12 Apr Devonport The Performing Arts Centre Reece High School
Sun13 Apr Hobart Hobart City Hall
Mon 14 Apr Hobart Hobart City Hall
Paula Xiberras
