As a parent to young kids the names Bluey, Bingo, Mom (Chilli) and Dad (Bandit) might sound all too familiar.
You will also be forgiven if you immediately sang or hummed the catchy introduction melody while reading their names.
Everyone’s favourite Blue Heeler dog family is live on stage at the Artscape Theatre until Sunday 6 July.
Bluey’s Big Play, the Stage Show, is a theatrical adaptation of the Bafta and Emmy Award-winning animated television series and is based on an original story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and contains music by Bluey composer Joff Bush.
The characters are represented by larger-than-life puppets operated by talented puppeteers who bring Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad to life on stage.
On Thursday 26 June, People’s Post got a behind-the-scenes look and interacted with the all South-African cast of the much-loved production, a day before the production debut in South Africa.
Jacob Williams, puppeteering director, said the show consists of 12 cast and six crew members and an entire production team.
According to Williams, it took about four years to put the stage production together.
He explains that some of the local cast did not have puppeteering experience.
“They have learned a completely new craft in three weeks. I have been blown away by their hard work and by how much they have grown in the few weeks.”
Williams says each puppet is operated by two people due to its weight.
“We get each puppeteer to learn both the head-track and the foot-track. It is not just a children’s show. It is for the entire family.”
Williams said people can look forward to a fun-filled show.
“They can expect familiar characters from the show. They will see things like Bluey’s bedroom and the garden. It will be Bluey’s world live on stage.”
Johannesburg-born actress Angel Orugbo portrays the role of Chilli (Mom).
“I never had no puppeteering experience before and it’s phenomenal to be able to play such a cool and fun character. Chilli is sassy and sarcastic. We get to delve into her personality.”
Orugbo says she is elated to be part of the production.
“You can feel the love that people have for this production. It’s been so much fun and I am proud to be a part of it.”
Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are supporting an initiative, along with the Cape of Good Hope SPCA (capespca.co.za), to make sure that their South African furry friends will make it through winter with their tails wagging, their fur thick and warm and their noses wet and shiny.
Audiences coming to watch the show are encouraged to bring along donations of pet food, blankets and pet toys for the dogs and other pets being cared for by the SPCA, as well as any second-hand books they’d like to clear out of their collections, which will be sold to help raise money to cover the society’s expenses.
Tickets are available on showtime.co.za and ticketmaster.co.za
