Introducing... Hi-5 Space Magic, the new live show from the Aussie children's favourites on Five's Milkshake show.

Hi-5 shows in 82 countries and attracts more than 235,000 British viewers every morning on Five. When the Australians toured last year, they sold 30,000 tickets in three days at the Carling Hammersmith Apollo in London, outselling Kylie Minogue.

On Saturday they present three performances of Hi-5 Space Magic: Live In Concert at the Grand Opera House in York, all sold out. Kellie Lynn Hoggart finds space for a Hi-5 encounter with Charles Hutchinson.

How do you cope with three 90-minute shows a day, Kellie?

"It's quite full on, with all the screaming kids, but we wouldn't do it if we didn't love it. Luckily we do have microphones, which save the day, and English audiences are fantastic because you guys are used to pantomime. People love to get up and join in, even the parents."

The audiences are just as energetic as the performers. How do you build that excitement?

"In the foyer we have someone getting the children hyped up before the show, and we have someone to teach them the dance moves for the songs."

What happens in your new show Space Magic?

"The first act is based around space and it involves us travelling to different planets with made-up names, such as Planet Movealot, Planet Magic and Planet Disco at the end. It's a journey through space, with us in a rocket ship, and each of the planets we visit make us do something. The kids really love Planet Jupland, where these little alien creatures jump out and all the kids scream. Fantastic!

"Then, in the second act, it's all magic with lots of extravagant magic tricks, like the big number where I disappear and I have great fun doing that."

What is the secret of Hi-5's success?

"I think it's successful because it's hidden education. It's like 'What am I teaching here?', and it's never obvious, but then you realise it's teaching this and this and this. The music is a huge part of it too; Chris Harriot writes pop music for kids, and he's a genius, and then you have the bright clothes and bright sets. There's a Seventies' retro thing going on with the costumes; they're very playful and they just come alive on stage. It's all great fun, and the children look at us as being their big brothers and sisters, because we don't patronise them. I've done a couple of drama courses but I'd never worked with kids before this show, except for teaching swimming classes, and the key thing is to treat them as equals. You must be natural... and you can't get that from a book."

How long have you been in the Hi-5 show?

"Seven years now. Over here in Australia, we're up to our seventh series, and you've caught up with us. You're bang up to speed now, and you guys are even seeing the new live show first, ahead of Australia, which we'll do at the end of the year.

"We're touring Britain for two months, then we're off to Singapore, and then we start recording the new album and the new series. We're touring again after that, so we're touring for seven or eight months a year. I'm 30 and it's killing me! But the kids give so much energy that it helps you through the shows, and I couldn't ask for four better people to go on stage with. We're actually stronger than we've ever been when so many other groups break up."

Is it right that you have Yorkshire connections, Kellie?

"Yes! My mum is from Leeds, and my dad, Dennis Hoggart, is from Glasgow. He played for Leeds United; I think he played on the wing, though he might have played striker.

"They moved over to Australia when my dad got a soccer contract here. He chose Australia over America, and I was born in 1974... the year Leeds won the title!"

Hi-5 Space Magic, Grand Opera House, York, April 21, 11am, 1.30pm, 4pm. Sold out. For returns only, ring 0870 606 3590.

Updated: 16:37 Thursday, April 21, 2005