Chatting with Pui (The Chris & Pui Show 2015)

I was lucky enough to be able to have a chat with Pui Fan Lee last week and she was so friendly, despite me interrupting her while she was writing and researching an episode of Show Me Show Me.

I asked her what we can expect from the Chris & Pui Show when it comes to Norwich later this month and there will be elements of the Show Me Show Me tv programme, lots of silly jokes and routines, singing and plenty of audience participation; lots for the children to get involved in (Mum, Dad and grandparents too!) It's a good old-fashioned entertainment show and for those youngsters who are attending theatre for the first time it will be the perfect experience. Chris & Pui have a great grasp of what little ones do and don't like and they don't feel the need to fill it with over the top noisy effects and explosions. Parents and carers of those with special needs won't find it too overwhelming or challenging for their children. It takes someone special to manage to keep children interested for a length of time (I should know: 11 years of being a Mum and I'm still trying to suss kids out!) but Chris & Pui work hard to get the right balance in their shows.

I imagine that filming a TV programme can be very different from performing live in theatres but Pui enjoys both equally. There are the obvious differences: TV shows are recorded and if there are any errors or problems, eg. a plane ruining a shot, you can re-shoot and get it just-so but with a live show there may be a script of sorts and an order to the show but anything can happen, especially when audience participation and reactions are taken into account. It keeps you on your toes and Chris & Pui work well together if/when these incidents occur. It's one of the elements that I love about live theatre. Pui also enjoys working in such a wide variety of theatres as they can differ so much, from the traditional to the modern. Sadly they don't get time to explore the towns they're working in  as there's just not enough time between travelling and setting up for the morning shows.

Chris and Pui have worked together since the CBeebies channel was launched in 2002. My eldest child was born in 2004 so we've seen the channel evolve and many presenters come and go. My favourite group of presenters will always be Chris, Pui, Sid (Sloane) and Sue (Monroe). Sid is still seen on the channel with his show Let's Play but he's also busy touring the country with live shows. Sue has gone on to write the Magnificent Moon Hare series of children's books.

Once a year the CBeebies presenters meet up in preparation for the pantomime but Pui admitted to me that they all treat it as a reunion and take rehearsals a little less seriously than they should do and spend time trying to catch up on the last 12 months. Everyone at the channel is incredibly friendly, which shines through on screen, and they try to keep in touch but as everyone has such busy schedules it's often only at preschool events or launches throughout the year that they may bump into each other. My children have always held the belief that all CBeebies presenters live in one massive house together! I won't shatter that illusion for them...

Pui has two children, ages 3 and 11, and I asked how they feel about Mummy being on the TV. It's what they've grown up with and all they've ever known so for them it's completely normal. It's no different from being the child of a doctor or a police office. It's just what Mum does.

I could have spent a lot longer chatting to Pui because she's as lovely on the phone as she is on the TV but I felt that I needed to let her get back to her research and writing!

The Chris & Pui Show is in Norwich on Sunday 24th May and tickets can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01603 630000 or by visiting the Norwich Theatre Royal website.

Tour details can be found here.

Photos courtesy of Norwich Theatre Royal