Five minutes with... Mister Maker

Firstly, welcome to Hull!  

We’re so excited. It’s the first time we’ve brought the show to Hull. We’ve been touring Mister Maker for a couple of years now. This is the newest and biggest version of the show.

We’ve always had such amazing audiences in and around Yorkshire, and it looks as if we’re going to be packed out at Hull City Hall.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the show?

It’s an arts and crafts show on CBeebies but with a colourful and comedic twist. It’s been on the go now for around ten years. It has been great fun to take it to the live stage.

We’ve tried to put all of the elements of the TV programme that the CBeebies fans will recognise into the live version. However, the show on Saturday will have lots more singing, dancing and audience participation.

We also have our popular characters The Shapes, who will run out onto the stage. That’s always a fantastic moment.

It’s a little bit like a Mister Maker pantomime. We want the audience to shout out, enjoy it, jump up, dance and join us on stage.

Is there a lot of audience participation in the show then?

We won’t force anyone who doesn’t want to come up of course, but we do ask for volunteers to help us. Games will be played on stage and members of the audience can win prizes.

Everyone in the audience will be involved in some way. Each member will be given something on their way in and they will have to do something with that item to contribute towards our big ‘make’ later on. It’s a really special part of the show.

What’s the difference between starring in the live shows and recording a TV episode?

I love both sides of my job. Filming the TV show is where it all started, so I love that. However, it’s a very different atmosphere with the live show.

The most obvious thing is that we have to wait six months to see what people think of a TV episode. With a live performance, you get an instant reaction, you see the joy on the kids’ faces and it’s really lovely.

Why do you think arts and crafts are so popular among young children?

It’s definitely one of the keys to the show’s success. We’re proud to say that Mister Maker has been broadcast in over 100 countries around the world.

It doesn’t matter how old you are; if you’re a little kid, big kid or even a grandparent, everyone loves to make things. The kids love to get messy and get involved with whatever we’re making.

What would you say to someone who thinks they’re not arty enough?

We say that art is for everyone. It’s just about having a go. With our show, we teach you how to make extraordinary things from rather ordinary materials.

I think the main thing is confidence. I’ve seen it through the work that we do and the feedback we get. A lot of children’s confidence has been enhanced when they achieve and make things. But it’s also beneficial for the grownups too.

A lot of mums, dads, caregivers, aunties and uncles have said that they have been encouraged by the show.

Unfortunately tickets are no longer available for this event.