Simon Burke: ‘Kerri-Anne Wasn't Happy About Playing My Mother!'

The stage and screen star opens up about his Play School years and his new role in the musical Pippin

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You play Pippin’s dad Charles in the upcoming stage show. What prompted you to take on the role?

It wasn’t actually a show I knew very well, but I had heard about this production. So many people told me it was a spectacular night at the theatre because it’s taken the musical Pippin and then given it this circus spin. So you’ve got all these big song and dance numbers happening but then you have these eight highly trained circus performers, including knife throwers and trapeze artists – it’s a feast for the eyes!

Can we expect to see you somersaulting through hoops as well?

I’m actually training every morning for knife throwing, which is full-on – like they’re actually knives! I can’t believe they’re trusting me with that. [Laughs]

How did you get into shape for this role?