Little Tigers Meets Mister Maker
The recent “Turrets and Tiaras” day organised by Pyjama Drama at Peckforton Castle, was a huge success with plenty for all the children to enjoy. One of the most popular events was the arts and craft sessions with Phil Gallagher the man behind the successful CeBeebies series Mr Maker. Dany Whittaker managed to grab a few moments with Phil for a chat afterwards.
What was it like to do this live event today in front of the children? What were they like as an audience?
It was fantastic! I have been lucky enough to work on lots of different shows, some in front of live audiences and some in the studio. It had a feel of Panto' today, lots of audience participation with me dressed up as a King, it was a great atmosphere. To say that what I did today is my job is amazing, it was a pleasure to be here.
How do you go about planning today's event?
Pyjama Drama spoke to me and came up with the idea of having arts and craft sessions themed around turrets and tiaras where the children would make a crown. It was a simple idea but meant the children could use their own creativity and make it their own, which is important so they can express their own ideas.
Have you ever had anything unexpected happen at a live show?
In Panto', they say "expect the unexpected". One time that sticks in my mind was when I was playing Wishee- Washy in Aladdin, and the "baddy" Abanazar tries to get me to take a special book to Aladdin. When Abanazar came onto the stage he had forgotten the book which was impossible to hide. So I had to ad lib, and as it was Boxing Day, I said that the sales had started and he could go off and see what he could find in the sales - the audience actually enjoy it when things go wrong and I love ad libbing and thinking on my feet.
What led you to work in children's entertainment?
It was always my ambition to work in Children's' television. I was lucky to get a great job at the Disney Channel, where I did work experience and learnt the ropes. I became a runner which is the best job you can do because you get to work for everybody and see what everybody does behind and in front of the camera, it was great experience.
What were you like as a child?
Were you very creative at school? Well you would need to ask my mum and dad, but if my mum was here she would say "He is exactly the same, just a bit taller", I am just a big kid. Right from a young age I would put on shows - puppet shows, (one of the things I did at Disney was train to be a puppeteer) I wrote my own scripts and programmes right down to half time intervals with squash. From a very early age I enjoyed entertaining people and was involved in my school shows. I had a really good Drama Teacher Mrs Lydon who was really inspirational and made drama fun. My first ever role was when I was 8 years old and played a chicken in Aladdin, and now 24 years later I am playing Aladdin.
What did you watch on television and who influenced you?
As a child I dreamt of being a children's' television presenter. My heroes were Phillip Schofield, Andy Peters and Neil Buchanon from Art Attack, which was made in Maidstone where I grew up. I have been so lucky to follow my dream and it is a real privilege, What led you into acting and drama? Which bits of your work do you like best - writing, acting or producing? I loved drama and art, but there is only so far you can take that at school so I went on to a practical TV production course and got interested in drama. I don't want to sit on the fence but I enjoy my job because of the variety and it is so much fun. This week I have the Pyjama Drama event today, script writing tomorrow, and then filming for Grandpa In My Pocket the next day. I play a character called Mr Liker Biker who is always in the bike shop owned by the main character Jason Mason's dad, creating havoc which Grandpa In My Pocket has to sort out using his shrinking hat. Nowadays you have to have lots of strings to your bow, and looking back to the Disney Channel I am so grateful for the opportunity they gave me. I work very long hours but I am doing what I love and I get a real buzz from my job, and the appreciation from the kids, like today, makes it all worthwhile.
There are so many characters in children's television what do you think is the secret of Mister Maker's success?
Mister Maker is a show we are all very proud of. It has been on Cbeebies since 2007 and is in its 3rd series. The best thing is when children come up to me with things they've made; like today a little girl brought me a card (Phil produces it from his pocket with pride). They bring things we have shown them how to make on the show or something else their imagination has been sparked to make as a result if the show. Take today, I showed a simple technique to make a crown but the children made it their own using their own creativity. The show also encourages their parents to keep things and recycle which is an important theme for CBeebies. Today a little girl told me she had a Mister Maker box at home - that's fantastic. Television was a big part of my growing up, and I was inspired by Tony Hart, and I hope that kids watching Mister Maker will be inspired too.
What TV shows do you think are a must-see for our readers' children?
Apart from Mister Maker obviously, I think Grandpa In My Pocket is a fantastic show. It has such broad appeal, even for parents, as Grandpa is played by James Bolan, who is in New Tricks. Also, look out for a brand new show called Gigglebiz which is a comedy sketch show coming to Cbeebies and stars Justin Fletcher.
What is next? Will we see you in Panto' again?
You were Buttons last year at Buxton Opera House. Lots of script writing, but the big thing I am looking forward to is Panto'. I am very, very lucky to be performing with Sean Williamson ("Barry From Eastenders") and George Takei (Sulu from Star Trek) at the Central Theatre in Chatham, Kent. Last year in Buxton was very special though, I got the train up from London and as soon as I got to Buxton it started snowing...