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The First Hippo On the Moon: Interview With David Walliams

He has taken the literary world by storm, with his children’s books selling over 9.5 million copies in the UK alone.

And now, a story from popular television personality David Walliams will be performed on stage at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft.

The First Hippo on the Moon has been adapted for the stage by acclaimed award winning Theatre company Les Petits and features puppetry, music, mayhem and a giant space race to the moon!

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 achieved unprecedented critical acclaim for his story writing and quickly developed a reputation as a natural successor to Roald Dahl.

One of his most successful titles Gangsta Granny was adapted for the stage in November 2015 by Birmingham Stage Company.

Ahead of the performances at the Marina Theatre, David Walliams spoke about the story and the exciting production.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

The eight performances will take place between April 26 -29 with full price tickets costing £16.50, concessions £12.50 and a family ticket at £48.00.

To book tickets, call the box office on 01502 533200 or visit www.marinatheatre.co.uk

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The Marina Theatre announces new youth theatre group for ages 5-8

A new youth theatre group will allow young people between the ages of five and eight to take their first steps to stardom in Lowestoft.

Beginning on Monday, April 24, the new class will run each week from 5pm to 6pm. The sessions are an extension from the current Marina Youth Theatre, which has already proved extremely popular with young people from across the area.

Will Isgrove, Head of Young People and Outreach at the Marina Theatre, said: “We are really excited to be offering these sessions for five to eight year olds. Our new youth theatre has proved extremely popular and these fun and engaging sessions will give the young people an introduction to theatre and allow them to creatively work together. We look forward to seeing as many people as possible for our free taster session on Monday, April 24.”

The term fee is £55 and for more information and to book your child’s place, email willisgrove@marinatheatre.co.uk or call 01502 533231.

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Easter Activities at the Marina Theatre

Come and get busy at the Marina Theatre this Easter with a number of exciting activities. From Monday 3rd until Thursday 13th April, we are running an eclectic mix of sessions for young people to get involved at the theatre.

Make It Up!

Monday 3rd April

Transform yourselves and each other with professional stage make-up techniques, tips and tricks.
5-8 year olds – 10am to 11am: £4
9-16 year olds – 11am to 1pm: £8/7 (YT)


Musical Theatre!

Tues 4th & Mon 10th April

Leap into the world of Musical Theatre with our talented and experienced team!
5-8 year olds – 10am to 11am: £4
9-16 year olds – 11am to 1pm: £8/7 (YT)


Fight Club!

Wednesday 5th April

Learn the basics of stage combat, how to create realistic (but perfectly safe!) fight sequences.
9-16 year olds – 10am to 12noon: £8/7 (YT)


Tale Chasers

Thursday 6th April

Do you have a head full of stories? Learn how to spin a tale out of nothing for your audience!
9-16 year olds – 10am to 12noon: £8/7 (YT)


Song Writing

Friday 7th April

Could you be the next Ed Sheeran? Come and learn skills to compose your own songs.
13-16 year olds – 10am to 2pm: £16/14(YT)


Blood, Guts & Gore

Tuesday 11th April

Get ‘hands-on’ and let your imagination run wild with fake blood, gaping wounds and fake eyeballs!
9-16 year olds – 10am to 12noon: £8/7 (YT)


Theatre Games Challenge

Wednesday 12th April

Come and learn new games like Splat, Palm Trees, Zip, Zap, Boing and Questions Only. Will you be the Marina Master?
9-16 year olds – 10am to 12noon: £8/7 (YT)


Play in a Day

Thursday 13th April

Up for a challenge? Join us & play from first idea to opening night in the blink of an eye. There will be a performance to friends and family at 3:30pm.
9-16 year olds – 10am to 4pm: £25/£22(YT)


Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. And if you book a workshop, you will receive a 2-for-1 cinema voucher free!

To book, contact the box office on 01502 533200 or visit www.marinatheatre.co.uk

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The Great Place Scheme comes to the Marina Theatre

A new partnership project will enable the Marina Theatre to encourage young people to shape new stories based on the heritage of Lowestoft.

A playwriting project, where 900 young people will work with a storyteller and drama facilitator to shape stories based on local histories, has been instigated by The Great Place Scheme – and will enable cultural organisations to make a step-change in how they work together. A selection of scripts will also be performed at the theatre along with a brand new creative forum. Arts, culture and heritage in the wider area will be further enhanced over the next three years after they secured more than £700,000 in national grant funding.

Making Waves Together, led jointly by Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Waveney District Council, will see communities and organisations in both areas work together to boost the cultural offer and drive cultural re-imagination as a way of supporting success in the seaside towns.

Lee Henderson, Chief Executive of the Marina Theatre, said: “We are delighted that the funding will enable us to enrich our communities – continuing our passion and commitment to Lowestoft. It will also enhance our current vibrant outreach work and allow us to work closely with other organisations across the area.”

The project is largely funded with a £737,900 grant from the Great Place Scheme, delivered by Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic England. Further funds are from the borough and district councils, Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council, Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership and Lowestoft Vision, and the Broads National Park.

Also involved in the initiative are the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust, who will work alongside East Suffolk Preservation Trust to develop a community-led heritage project to highlight and make more of the medieval rows in Great Yarmouth and the medieval scores in Lowestoft.

Flipside will engage with 2,000 school children to develop an exhibition based on the local heritage of wind, linked to fishing, windmills, and looking to the future of offshore wind energy.

In and around Lowestoft town centre, Dance East and the Association of Suffolk Museums will work in partnership to create a map of local cultural assets with residents to inspire pop-up performances.

In Great Yarmouth, the project will facilitate a participatory public animation project in the town centre and public spaces, working with SeaChange Arts.

Cllr Michael Ladd, Waveney District Council’s Cabinet member for Economic Development, said: “Culture and heritage play a hugely important role in creating and maintaining a sense of pride and wellbeing in a local area and we believe that this investment will inspire a whole range of people, from all age groups to enjoy and participate in the creative arts.”

And in addition, the Marina Theatre will be hosting a number of Easter activities over the Half Term break – with sessions including Theatre Make Up, stage combat, storytelling, song writing and musical theatre.

Places are limited and keep an eye out on our website and social media pages for full details and times.