By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG Coast Kids’ Facebook page is giving away 10 family passes to Giggle and Hoot’s GPAC show at 4pm on 11 October.
To go into the draw, visit facebook.com/geelongcoastkids and follow the simple instructions.
Entries close midday Friday 4 September.
Winners will be notified via Facebook.
LANDING a job on the popular ABC Kids program Giggle and Hoot was ideal for Jimmy Rees.
That seems to be how he gets through life: by having a giggle at what a hoot it is to do the five-nights-a-week show.
But he gets an even bigger hoot out of the opportunity to take the television characters live on stage in a second Live Nation tour, this time taking in Geelong.
Rees still smiles at his good fortune in scoring the role in his first audition – although things were not quite straightforward, as with all the good audition stories.
“The ABC held an open casting call seeking fresh talent,” Rees recalled.
“I did a video audition and was shortlisted for the Melbourne call from 5500 videos submitted. I actually got to the second round but missed out on the third.
“Coincidentally, the Giggle and Hoot production office was looking for someone to play the Jimmy Giggle character.
“The ABC3 for kids channel was launching at the time. My video was passed along and I landed the job.”
Rees was grateful for the opportunity, with no formal training other than drama studies at school and some amateur theatre.
“It’s great, I’m just prancing about in my PJs all day,” Rees laughed.
“The kids are great – they’re always the first to let you know what they think.
“The live shows are a great break from the television show because it’s so nice to get a response from a live audience.
“Plus, there are no retakes on stage.”
Rees said putting together a stage show, knowing that parents would be in the audience as well, offered the opportunity to add an extra layer of grown-up comedy.
The Frankston boy was also happy to be working regional venues, with this tour taking in Tasmania and his home suburb.
His show, Giggle and Hoot and Friends, is a 55-minute stage spectacular with everyone’s favourite songs, dancing, fun and laughter.
Joining Jimmy Giggle and the owls onstage is the ever popular Bananas in Pyjamas, B1 and B2, now in their 22nd year.
Giggle and Hoot and Friends plays Geelong Performing Arts Centre at 11am, 1.30pm and 4pm on 11 October.
