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James Rees knows the ABC of how to keep children entertained and engaged.
A household name as Jimmy Giggle, he is a natural in making children giggle on ABC4Kids hit show Giggle and Hoot. And if you talk to this effervescent, down-to-earth young man with a next-door-friendly-neighbour demeanor, you will find your answer. The cheerful 27-year-old from Mount Martha himself laughs a lot.
While children are the central focus as part of his job, and no doubt there are thousands yearning for his show’s next episode, his mind is occupied with two key tasks. The first is the wait for who will no doubt be his No. 1 fan – his own first child. His wife Tori is pregnant and the couple, who have been married for a year, have their child due in April.
‘‘We are half-way to getting our bundle of joy, and we are so excited,’’ he says.
The second event Rees has on mind is his national tour, starting in Melbourne on December 17.
The famous Giggle and Hoot host puts on no airs during a no-holds-barred phone interview with The Weekly Review and Star Weekly this week.
The young man, who is a favourite staple diet of not only preschoolers but also of countless mums, is doing publicity rounds for his national tour promoting the show, along with other famous brands like Bananas in Pyjamas and Hoopla Doopla.
Rees says the team is determined to make its second on-road tour – the first was in 2013 – ‘‘bigger and better’’.
He says 70,000 tickets were sold for the last tour.
‘‘We are rapt with this year’s response. Tickets [which went on sale from September 12] are selling fast and barely any tickets are left for some shows,’’ he says.
It’s the first time Zap, Mimi and Jango, from AB4Kids Hoopla Doopla, will be part of the Giggle and Hoot and Friends show on stage.
While those at the ABC and its friends are grappling with massive job losses because of the $250 million federal funding cuts, the multiaward-winning Giggle and Hoot’s future is secure.
Rees has another key event on his mind – Giggle and Hoot will mark its fifth anniversary on December 4.
He says the ratings for the show have been very consistent over the years and now are going upwards.
‘‘This is testament to the hard work of the team which puts in ‘heart, love and humour’ in the show.
About the coming tour, Rees says: ‘‘It’s good to go out there, meet fans. Without kids, we wouldn’t be anything. It will be great to interact with them, have fun and let them have fun.’’
He says there will be classic Giggle songs, singalongs with children, hide and seek, and getting children involved with the show.
The owl pals can look forward to funky owl, gigglemobile, Giggleosaurus, the Gigglearium, Five Steps to Bed, Birdbath boogies and Hoot’s Lullaby.
Rees has a burgeoning fan base of not just children but also mums who have a big presence on social media.
He laughs when he talks of mums facebook pages. He says his favourite is I Could Teach Jimmy Giggle a Thing or Two. ‘‘That’s really funny, they have good humour, makes me laugh.’’
Rees, who says he’s glad to be back with family in Mount Martha after a few years in Sydney, is working long hours pre-recording shows for the Christmas break and also preparing for the tour.
While providing fun time for children is his focus right now, his long-term goal is to host a television program entertaining adults.
‘‘But that’s in the future, right now it’s the kids. The ABC has been wonderful to me, and has looked after me.
‘‘I am looking forward to starting my own family, I am excited for our baby, excited for our tour. Life’s really good.’’
Giggle and Hoot and Friends tour dates
Arts Centre Melbourne, December 17-21
QPAC Playhouse, Brisbane, January 3-11
Chatswood Concourse, Sydney, January 13-16
Civic Theatre, Newcastle, January 17-18
Entertainment Centre, Shoalhaven, January 21
Canberra Theatre, Canberra, January 24-25
For details on tour and ticket information, visit www.abc.net.au/abcevents and www.livenation.com.au
