It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since Peppa Pig was first brought to life. The little pink pre-schooler has been loved by kids all over the world ever since, and this month she returns to Ireland for her ‘oinktastic’ live show.
The stage adaptation Fun Day Out sees Peppa, along with her family and friends go to the zoo, and also to the beach for a special party.
Young audiences in Derry and Belfast are invited to sing and dance along as the beloved characters meet colourful scarecrows, feed the penguins, build sandcastles, and even swim in the sea.
Playing the role of Peppa Pig is Essex-born actress Amy Brooke. Having been in the role from last October, Amy admits she does find herself taking on some of her mannerisms, though she does resist the urge of jumping in muddy puddles in reality.
“It’s quite hard to get out of the child’s voice at the end of the day, which is a bit weird for everyone else involved,” laughs the 26-year-old, who trained at Mountview Theatre Academy.
Whilst playing the role of Peppa Pig “wasn’t on her radar”, she admits she is “having a ball” on stage.
“We puppeteer and we are also live vocalising, singing and dancing all at the same time,” she enthuses
“I was brought up with the Teletubbies, Peppa came along a little bit later but she’s such an icon to so many. I had young cousins growing up and they were obsessed with it. All the characters in Peppa Pig have real personality”.
Amy admits the audition process to land the coveted role was “quite intense”, involving three rounds.
“Firstly we met with the producers and director and their focus was on the physical so they can make sure that you can keep up with the cardio, as well as showing you have the energy and animation necessary to do a kids show.
“On the recall there was a lot of doing the voices and trying out my Peppa Pig voice,” she adds.
Preparing for the role, Amy took inspiration from the first Peppa Pig voice – Harley Bird, who played the role from 2007 to 2020.
“My partner would come in from work and find me sat on the sofa endlessly watching episodes of Peppa Pig. We don’t have children, so it was quite an odd thing to obsess over.”
She also watched psychology documentaries like The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds, which studied the habits of young children to help her get inside the mindset of her young character and target audience.
“I’ve got a few nieces and nephews and noticing their mannerisms and the funny little things that they come out with really helps. When it comes to getting into character before performances it’s all about remembering Peppa Pig is just four and not 26 like me,” she laughs.
Packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles, Peppa’s Fun Day Out guarantees giggles and snorts for all Peppa fans, and is the perfect introduction to theatre for pre-schoolers.
It’s this aspect of watching the reaction of little ones in the audiences that Amy enjoys most about the role.
“The best part of this job for everyone involved is being part of a child’s first theatre experience. The fact that they are allowed to get up, scream, dance, play around and interact is so lovely.”
Other members of the Peppa Pig Live Fun Day Out cast include Elisha Covell as Peppa’s brother George, Adam Dick (Daddy Pig/Danny Dog), Emily Jade Hassan (Miss Rabbit/Mummy Pig), Perrie Sunuwar (Daisy) and Zinny Udala (Suzy Sheep).
When it comes to getting into character before performances it’s all about remembering Peppa Pig is just four and not 26 like me
— Amy Brooke
The downside, as many parents know all too well, is that the Peppa Pig theme tune gets stuck in your head.
“Yes, oh my goodness, it really does,” giggles Amy, revealing that another favourite, Bing Bong Boo, is in the show alongside some original songs.
Thankfully offstage Amy hasn’t snorted in an inappropriate situation, though she admits her Peppa voice does often come into play whilst socialising.
“Sometimes when I’m out at night people do request the voice, but it’s always good fun.”
I can’t resist asking to hear Amy’s alter ego.
“Hello everybody, I’m Peppa Pig,” she booms down the phone line, quickly obliging.
I laugh at the speed and high-pitch delivery and ask if there is a danger in straining her throat doing the role?
“It’s a matter of applying my vocal training and placing my voice correctly so I don’t injure it by having to do it for so long. It’s also important to warm up and cool down. It was difficult at the beginning but I’m used to it now,” she explains.
Her Peppa Pig Live experience has given Amy an appetite for more voice acting and she certainly wouldn’t say no to voicing television Peppa or another animated character.
“I would love to do more voice work. On stage it’s fascinating watching the actor multi-rolling different characters all at once.”
