Novocastrian is bringing home the bacon as Daddy Pig on tour

The Advertiser

12-05-2025

Performing at Newcastle's Civic Theatre on Wednesday will be a homecoming for one of the stars of Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out LIVE!
Benjamin Richards, who plays the role of Daddy Pig, grew up in Seahampton and was a student at Barnsley Public School. His family now lives in Heddon Greta, while he is based in Melbourne.
Peppa Pig is the No.1 children's show on Nick Jr. and No.2 on ABC Kids Australia. The stage show is based on the much-loved animated series, with the addition of singing, dancing, games ... and plenty of puppets.
"I fell in love with musical theatre when I was living in London at the age of 21," Mr Richards told the Newcastle Herald.
"I came from a very sporty family and was never really exposed to the arts.
"I was working at a pizza restaurant in London's West End when I saw my first musical. It was Kinky Boots, and basically I walked out of the theatre and was, like, 'I can do that'. I've always been able to sing, but until then, sport had always been my focus."
In 2023, Mr Richards graduated from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (now QAEMT) with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre. He also holds a Diploma of Musical Theatre from Sydney's Brent Street.
"I started theatre much later than most people, at 23, but it's worked for me. I've had to work really hard to catch up," he said.
"I'm doing auditions here and there. Honestly, I want to do it all: film and TV, musical theatre. The Lion King.
"My dad [the late Ian Richards, who used to play for Broadmeadow Magic] used to say, 'I want to see you on Home & Away'. So if I make it on the show, I know I've made it, in his eyes."
Mr Richards wasn't expecting to learn the art of puppetry however is enjoying adding to his skill set. In addition to playing Daddy Pig in this show, the 29-year-old also plays the Scarecrow.
"The show is very fast paced and I do a lot of singing," he said.
"Being Daddy Pig in itself has been pretty cool - when he comes out on stage he gets the biggest cheer every time [laughs].
"The kids just go absolutely wild at this show. It's really interactive, not like regular theatre where they have to sit still. Here, they can be up and dancing the whole time, having fun."
Performing at Newcastle's Civic Theatre on Wednesday will be a homecoming for one of the stars of Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out LIVE!
Benjamin Richards, who plays the role of Daddy Pig, grew up in Seahampton and was a student at Barnsley Public School. His family now lives in Heddon Greta, while he is based in Melbourne.
Peppa Pig is the No.1 children's show on Nick Jr. and No.2 on ABC Kids Australia. The stage show is based on the much-loved animated series, with the addition of singing, dancing, games ... and plenty of puppets.
"I fell in love with musical theatre when I was living in London at the age of 21," Mr Richards told the Newcastle Herald.
"I came from a very sporty family and was never really exposed to the arts.
"I was working at a pizza restaurant in London's West End when I saw my first musical. It was Kinky Boots, and basically I walked out of the theatre and was, like, 'I can do that'. I've always been able to sing, but until then, sport had always been my focus."
In 2023, Mr Richards graduated from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (now QAEMT) with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre. He also holds a Diploma of Musical Theatre from Sydney's Brent Street.
"I started theatre much later than most people, at 23, but it's worked for me. I've had to work really hard to catch up," he said.
"I'm doing auditions here and there. Honestly, I want to do it all: film and TV, musical theatre. The Lion King.
"My dad [the late Ian Richards, who used to play for Broadmeadow Magic] used to say, 'I want to see you on Home & Away'. So if I make it on the show, I know I've made it, in his eyes."
Mr Richards wasn't expecting to learn the art of puppetry however is enjoying adding to his skill set. In addition to playing Daddy Pig in this show, the 29-year-old also plays the Scarecrow.
"The show is very fast paced and I do a lot of singing," he said.
"Being Daddy Pig in itself has been pretty cool - when he comes out on stage he gets the biggest cheer every time [laughs].
"The kids just go absolutely wild at this show. It's really interactive, not like regular theatre where they have to sit still. Here, they can be up and dancing the whole time, having fun."
Performing at Newcastle's Civic Theatre on Wednesday will be a homecoming for one of the stars of Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out LIVE!
Benjamin Richards, who plays the role of Daddy Pig, grew up in Seahampton and was a student at Barnsley Public School. His family now lives in Heddon Greta, while he is based in Melbourne.
Peppa Pig is the No.1 children's show on Nick Jr. and No.2 on ABC Kids Australia. The stage show is based on the much-loved animated series, with the addition of singing, dancing, games ... and plenty of puppets.
"I fell in love with musical theatre when I was living in London at the age of 21," Mr Richards told the Newcastle Herald.
"I came from a very sporty family and was never really exposed to the arts.
"I was working at a pizza restaurant in London's West End when I saw my first musical. It was Kinky Boots, and basically I walked out of the theatre and was, like, 'I can do that'. I've always been able to sing, but until then, sport had always been my focus."
In 2023, Mr Richards graduated from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (now QAEMT) with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre. He also holds a Diploma of Musical Theatre from Sydney's Brent Street.
"I started theatre much later than most people, at 23, but it's worked for me. I've had to work really hard to catch up," he said.
"I'm doing auditions here and there. Honestly, I want to do it all: film and TV, musical theatre. The Lion King.
"My dad [the late Ian Richards, who used to play for Broadmeadow Magic] used to say, 'I want to see you on Home & Away'. So if I make it on the show, I know I've made it, in his eyes."
Mr Richards wasn't expecting to learn the art of puppetry however is enjoying adding to his skill set. In addition to playing Daddy Pig in this show, the 29-year-old also plays the Scarecrow.
"The show is very fast paced and I do a lot of singing," he said.
"Being Daddy Pig in itself has been pretty cool - when he comes out on stage he gets the biggest cheer every time [laughs].
"The kids just go absolutely wild at this show. It's really interactive, not like regular theatre where they have to sit still. Here, they can be up and dancing the whole time, having fun."
Performing at Newcastle's Civic Theatre on Wednesday will be a homecoming for one of the stars of Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out LIVE!
Benjamin Richards, who plays the role of Daddy Pig, grew up in Seahampton and was a student at Barnsley Public School. His family now lives in Heddon Greta, while he is based in Melbourne.
Peppa Pig is the No.1 children's show on Nick Jr. and No.2 on ABC Kids Australia. The stage show is based on the much-loved animated series, with the addition of singing, dancing, games ... and plenty of puppets.
"I fell in love with musical theatre when I was living in London at the age of 21," Mr Richards told the Newcastle Herald.
"I came from a very sporty family and was never really exposed to the arts.
"I was working at a pizza restaurant in London's West End when I saw my first musical. It was Kinky Boots, and basically I walked out of the theatre and was, like, 'I can do that'. I've always been able to sing, but until then, sport had always been my focus."
In 2023, Mr Richards graduated from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (now QAEMT) with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre. He also holds a Diploma of Musical Theatre from Sydney's Brent Street.
"I started theatre much later than most people, at 23, but it's worked for me. I've had to work really hard to catch up," he said.
"I'm doing auditions here and there. Honestly, I want to do it all: film and TV, musical theatre. The Lion King.
"My dad [the late Ian Richards, who used to play for Broadmeadow Magic] used to say, 'I want to see you on Home & Away'. So if I make it on the show, I know I've made it, in his eyes."
Mr Richards wasn't expecting to learn the art of puppetry however is enjoying adding to his skill set. In addition to playing Daddy Pig in this show, the 29-year-old also plays the Scarecrow.
"The show is very fast paced and I do a lot of singing," he said.
"Being Daddy Pig in itself has been pretty cool - when he comes out on stage he gets the biggest cheer every time [laughs].
"The kids just go absolutely wild at this show. It's really interactive, not like regular theatre where they have to sit still. Here, they can be up and dancing the whole time, having fun."