The Australian entertainment group, The Wiggles, have already boogied their way on to the TV sets of every toddler and preschooler in the world, but apparently the small screen just isn’t enough. No, this funky phenomenon created by 4 men and a pirate who love to both entertain and educate the little ones is heading to a theater near you. I recently chatted with Anthony Field, the Blue Wiggle and director of The BIG BIG SHOW in the Round, who was, as usual, bubbling over with joy and excitement about this circus-themed production, the incredible new acrobatic stunts they’ve incorporated in to the musical show and his ridiculously fit new body.
Fitz: The BIG BIG show in the Round (a circular stage for those Americans who have no idea what a “round” is) is the first live concert movie for preschoolers. Tell me about it.
Anthony: Ohh Fitzy, it’s amazing! It’s the biggest show we’ve ever done and full of fantastic circus-inspired performances. We’ve had everyone up on the trapeze, doing cartwheels and all sorts of fun things during the live concerts. As people leave the show, it’s fun to see all of the children doing handstands and I think it’s really encouraging children to get out and take gymnastics and try athletic things themselves in a fun, safe way. Now we’re sharing this fantastic experience in movie theaters too!
Fitz: Was the circus them a result of your and Paddie’s (Paul Paddick, aka Captain Feathersword) new passion for acrobatics?
Anthony: We’re actually moving towards a fully blown circus, and hopefully next year we’ll be taking a circus tent around – we’ll do that in Australia at least. So we’re all trying to get in as many skills as we can. We’re planning on bringing in the Spanish web, and right now we’re doing trapeze, trampolining and more. I love the circus and I think everyone loves the circus. And we’ve got The Wiggles music, which I think is quality music for children. So you put the together and you’ve got a lot of fun for the year and a half that the show’s on.
Fitz: What is your favorite stunt in the show?
Anthony: My favorite stunt is where three of our backup performers dress up as popcorn bags, link arms and doing backflips on the trampoline. What I like about it is that element of danger, surprise and fun; we never know whether it’s going to work or not, so it’s exciting to see it unfold.
Fitz: That’s adorable! You and Paddie have aggressively pursed fitness, flips and acrobatics over the past few years. Do the other Wiggles want to kill you for subjecting them to this type of performing?
Anthony: Well Jeff is actually really fit and athletic. He cycles, surfs and has always had a fantastic diet full of vegetables and salads. He’s actually kept his physical age way below his actual age. Jeff just tries everything without any fear. Sam just couldn’t do those things because he’s singing all of the time, and it would really make his singing suffer. Murray’s got the guitar and doing all of these tricks with it would probably be pretty dangerous. Paddie is a total crazy guy though and would be doing this stuff anyway! Even if he weren’t in our show, he’d be jumping from high places.
Fitz: Will there be a red carpet premier?
Anthony: No, not this time. But if we ever do, we’ll drive the Big Red Car on to the Big Red Carpet.
Fitz: You have completely overhauled your body over the past few years. You’ve lost close to 50 pounds, you’re more jock than not and quite literally seem like a different guy. How has fitness changed you as a person and your life in general?
Anthony: Actually my wife, Miki, was just saying that when our first child was six weeks old my back was so bad I couldn’t even lift her. Now I can put three of the kids on my back at one time and run around with no problems at all. But one of the great things about doing gymnastics and all of that other body weight based strength training is that I can support my own body and other bodies too. Before I started pursuing fitness training I had no core strength at all. My training is always evolving now and I just feel so much better than I used to. I used to be sore straight getting out of bed. I was a real wreck!
Fitz: You’ve also battled depression. Does your fitness training help with that?
Anthony: When you get the endorphins kicking in, it is good for your mental state. Add to that I haven’t had an alcoholic drink or any soft drinks for two or three years, and that has stopped clouding up things. I’ve still got to watch out with depression, but if I do as many things as I can to alleviate it I keep it in check.
Fitz: What does your wife think about your new physique?
Anthony: Well! (He giggles) Miki is in the Big Big Show doing trapeze and she’s got guns (biceps) which she keeps showing around. So we’re always talking about HER physique not mine. She’s ripped like Madonna! As for me, I think she’s just happy I’m not breaking down anymore and using a chiropractor every day.
Fitz: Do the Wiggly Moms of your little fans ever become inappropriate? The fitness videos you and I have shot in the past have generated lots of comments from Moms who have a major crush on you and the other Wiggles!
Anthony: No! We’re in a little bubble while doing our shows and we don’t ever get to hear or see much of anything. That’s nice though.
Fitz: Back to your health. What’s your favorite healthy food?
Anthony: I’m going to have to be Wiggly about it, but you can’t beat a fresh fruit salad. I really do love it!
Fitz: And what’s your favorite not-so-healthy food?
Anthony: Chocolate! When I get some for my kids, I always keep one for myself!
Fitz: Have a favorite vacation spot?
Anthony: I love spending the day boating in Sydney Harbour. It’s very uncluttered and beautiful; a great break from being on tour. My favorite place to vacation in the States is South Beach in Miami, Florida.
Fitz: How has your new passion for fitness affected your children?
Anthony: We have gymnastics bars, mats and a trapeze in the house which the kids are always using. Lucia and Maria both go to gymnastics classes. Kids are natural imitators, so when they see my colleagues and I doing gymnastics, they want to do it too. Lucia is always doing bridges, walkovers and all sorts of crazy things at age five. In the fridge, we don’t have things like sodas. It’s full of the healthy stuff so they don’t even know what they’re missing.
Fitz: Lastly, what advice do you have for the average Joe who would kill to make the same physical transformation you have?
Anthony: I think diet is the most important thing. Cut out all of the processed foods and stick with more natural things. Try to avoid additives, preservatives, white breads, alcohol and all of the other nasty things that clog you up, are hard to digest and cause disease. Do that and great things will start happening. Also find an exercise that you think is fun and stick with it. If you don’t like lunges then don’t do them!
**The circus-inspired concert film, The Wiggles – BIG BIG Show in the Round will hit theaters across the United States March 20, 2010. For a complete listing of participating theaters, please visit www.cinemalive.com. For further information on The Wiggles, visit TheWiggles.com.
Awesome!! thanks so much Fitz!
I wonder if Paul Paddick quit smoking.