HOT TO TROT
Performing pigs’ licence to act up
These little piggies will be going wee, wee, wee all the way to the Hazlitt Theatre in front of a live audience.
The piglets – Betty and Hetty – who normally live at Valley Park School’s farm in Huntsman Lane, Maidstone, are currently in training for their trotters to tread the boards in a production of Betty Blue Eyes.
School managers had to get a licence from Maidstone council to use the animals under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 for the show, which will be held next month.
They have already learnt to sit to command but will also be learning how to walk to heel while on a harness with their young two-legged costars.
Deputy head teacher Giles Gleadall said: “We don’t like to shy away from a challenge and I thought it was worth a go. We wanted everything to be done properly so we applied for the licence.
“They say never work with children and animals – and we’re doing both. It is pretty cute to see a pig sit down when told to. We will be using one pig in the show but of course you need an understudy.”
In case Betty and Hetty act up (in the wrong way) there is a fibreglass pig waiting in the wings as a back-up.
When the curtain comes down on their starring role in Earl Street they will have their own happy ending, as they will be kept as breeding sows at the school farm.
The Sir Cameron Mackintosh musical comedy is based on the Alan Bennett film A Private Function and opened in the West End in 2011.
West End actor Haydn Oakley, who played the lead role Gilbert Chilvers, held a workshop at the school for pupils starring in the show.
Students Catherine Butler, Benjamin Anderson and Josephine Biggs, rehearsed songs with him and also rehearsed with the full cast.
The show runs from Monday, July 13, to Thursday, July 16, at 7.30pm. There is also a matinee at 12.30pm on Thursday. Tickets from 01622 758611.