Introducing Mr Yipadee

We chatted with Deano in the week small hours via the internet about his upcoming trip.

Ed: Morning Deano. We're looking forward to welcoming you home to Dunedin soon. For those that haven't see your show, tell us about yourself.

Deano: I'm actually from Mosgiel, went to St Mary's and what was then called Taieri High (now Taieri College). I have been living abroad for about 15 years - the first year was in Japan and then the last 14 years in the UK. Four years ago I finished working in radio and decided to pursue a dream of inspiring kids (my own included) to laugh, love, and believe in themselves through fun music. The first year I started this, my debut album went to number one in the UK kids' charts.

Ed: Can you tell us what you've been working on in the UK?

Deano: This year has been an exciting year for me and started off with a tour with Rebecca Keatley (star of BBC's CBeebies TV Channel). We toured the UK doing sell-out shows in play centres, shopping centres, and town centre events. Then I headlined the Kidz Field at Glastonbury Music Festival alongside magician 'Dynamo', and numerous UK TV favourites. The most exciting bit of the year is still to come as my kids (4 and 10 months) will meet my family in Mosgiel for the first time when we return to tour New Zealand! I'm so excited to be coming home and to be releasing three books over the next 14 month with Scholastic.

Ed: Tell us more about your new books.

Deano: The first is called Jingle Bells, Rudolf Smells, and it's out at the end of September. It's about a certain well-known reindeer who, because of his very smelly bottom, manages to save Christmas! It's from my album that went to number one in the UK kids' charts last Christmas.

Ed: You're partnering up with Craig Smith for the school holiday shows in Dunedin and Mosgiel, but how did you two meet?

Deano: My parents came over to the UK from Mosgiel and they brought over a book called Wonky Donkey. I loved it and dropped Craig an email. We got chatting and decided to do some work together. We've been mates since, and Craig's been a great friend and mentor.

Ed: What can your new fans expect to see at Mr Yipadee's show?

Deano: The show is a fun live music performance with interactive props and instruments for some of the kids to join in with. There is singing, dancing, musical comedy and of course some of my kids' books on the big screen.

Wonky Donkey Man and Mr Yipadee on Tour

School Holiday shows for pre-school to primary aged children, featuring Craig Smith 'The Wonky Donkey Man' and introducing, all the way from the UK, Mr Yipadee (Dean O'Brien).

Suitable for children up to primary school age

BOOKING ESSENTIAL - Tickets strictly limited: $15 for adult and child or a $25 family pass up to 2 adults and 4 children

Tickets available:

from Dunedin City Library for Maori Hill show

or

Mosgiel Library for East Taieri School show

Tuesday 27th September

Two shows: 9am or 11.30am

Coronation Hall, Balmacewan Rd, Maori Hill

or

Wednesday 28th September

East Taieri School Hall, Cemetery Rd, Mosgiel