Say 'hi' to Hi-5

MANILA, Philippines - Mallgoers will have the rare chance to watch Hi-5 perform live as the pop Australian group makes a tour of SM’s premiere malls. Hi-5 is set to perform live on Sept. 3, 5 p.m. at The Podium; Sept. 4, 3 p.m., The Block at SM City North EDSA and 6 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia.

The event is in line with Tayo na sa Australia, SM’s joint event with the Australian Embassy this month.

Hi-5 is an Australian Children’s television program which began in 1999. It is primarily targeted at pre-school and early primary aged children two to seven years, and is packed with catchy pop tunes, dancing and musical skits that get kids off the couch and playing long.

In the past 10 years, Hi-5 has established itself as one of the most successful pre-school programs in Australia and has been honored with several awards including three Logic Awards for Most Outstanding Children’s Programs, five ARIA Awards for Best Children’s Album, five Australian DVD and Video Industry Awards, and an APRA, AMIA, and Helpmann Awards.

On Nickelodeon, there is no doubt Hi-5 has become a favorite with Filipino kids. The new cast members are Laurent Brant, Steven Nicholson, Tim Maddren, Fely Irvine, and Casey Burgess.

Fely trained in the Australian College of Entertainment in drama, singing, tap dancing, jazz, and ballet, and earned a high distinction in the Glenda Yee School of Dance.

Steven Nicholson studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts and worked with a variety of Australia’s top directors, choreographers, and music theater experts under the lead of Avigail Herman. Tim Madden was raised in a musical family and was encouraged from an early age to follow his passion for performing and entertaining. His first major performance was at age nine when he played Gavroche in Les Miz. Tim played a guest role in the hit tween TV series Blue Water High and performed the role of Luke as part of the original cast of the musical Altar Boyz.

Casey trained at the famous Brent Street Studios in dance, jazz and tap. Her TV credits include roles in Home and Away, Tripping Over, Farscape, Don’t Blame Me and White Collar Blue.

Lauren is a born entertainer and has been training in the arts since she was three. An accomplished dancer, singer, actor, and model, Lauren loves what she does. Her TV experience includes roles in Are We There Yet?, H20 Just Add Water, Mortified, The Starter Wife and The Strip. She was also the host of the Humphrey Bear Show, traveling throughout Queensland.