Never work with children and animals, the saying goes, but what about animals that are puppets? Russell Morton, star of Mr Popper’s Penguins, reveals all as the show heads to Tunbridge Wells.

What attracted you to this particular production?

It’s not very well known over here in the UK, but it’s a bit of a children’s classic in the US. The producers and director of the show are at the top of their game when it comes to family shows, so that certainly appealed, because as an actor you consistently want to do good-quality work. Then when I found out there were lots of penguin puppets involved I was really pleased to get the role of Mr Popper!

Do you enjoy working on family shows?

There’s a key way of presenting children’s theatre that is engaging but not patronising and this show does that really well. When you perform this type of work, getting that balance right is a good skill to have. As a company, we were very lucky to be involved with this adaptation and were able to create some lovely moments with the director and designer. I’m lucky to have a varied career, so my CV is peppered with all kinds of work, and some of them have been cheekily adult.

How does it compare to the film starring Jim Carrey?

To be honest I haven’t seen the film, but I hear it’s pretty good! We’ve kept our show much truer to the original book and with certain changes to benefit its telling in front of a live audience. We did change the Poppers’ world to a period British one with a nice design concept to accompany this. Jim Carrey is a very high-energy performer, so I can imagine it’s great to watch. My Mr Popper is a bit of a dreamer, with a big heart, and always looking out for the next fun adventure.

How does it translate to the stage?

I don’t want to give too much away, but it starts in the sleepy town of Stillwater and moves to the Poppers’ household. One day a packing crate arrives on the doorstep... but I’m not going to tell you where they end up. All I can say is that the penguins change the lives of Mr and Mrs Popper, and he certainly doesn’t stay a painter and decorator for long!

How is it working with puppets – do you start to see the puppets as real after a while?

The puppets are the biggest divas in the cast! But it’s great to have them in the production and they add something to the show that audiences really respond to. I’ve never really thought about it too much and perhaps that’s the key to it. Our puppeteers play lots of characters throughout the show, but when they’re manipulating the puppets they kind of become the same character, the same being. That’s the best way to describe it, I think. The techniques in puppetry manipulate the audience to look at the puppet and the puppeteer almost becomes invisible. On stage, I look at the puppet and talk to it like any other character. I’m going to stop there because thinking about it too much might send me crazy.

The tour heads to New York in the middle of the UK dates – how did that come about?

We were very fortunate to have a theatre from New York come and see the show when we did it at The Lowry in Salford and they wanted it over there. This time around, the tour goes to some great theatres, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t extra-excited about doing the show on 42nd Street! All in all, it’s a great job to be a part of, and if the audiences have half as much fun as we do then we’ve done our job.

DETAILS

Mr Popper’s Penguins will be at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, from Wednesday, September 28, to Saturday, October 1.
For tickets at £12.50, visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or call 01892 530613.