On for young and old

Turn up to a Hi-5 concert in Australia and there's a good chance the front row seats will be dominated by enthusiastic preschoolers.

Roll up to a shopping mall appearance or concert in the Philippines or Singapore, however, and it's a different story, with many adults enamoured of the Aussies.

"It is quite amazing, I sometimes wish journalists would come over and see how popular we are over in the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia," said Hi-5's Tim Maddren.

"I was absolutely dumbfounded at how popular we are over there. Our tickets were going for the same price as Lady Gaga and the Pussycat Dolls.

"The other thing about our demographic, there is a lot of adults who use us to learn English, especially in the Philippines.

"It's funny when you do the shows there, in the front row there are probably about 10 women going, 'Hi Tim, hi Stevie'.

"Here our demographic is sort of three-to-six-year-olds but over there it could be any age, which is really cool; I wouldn't say it's a bad thing feeling like a rock star."

Maddren joined Hi-5 in January 2009, replacing original member Nathan Foley. Unlike The Wiggles, who have seen only one cast change, the Hi-5 of today is a totally new line-up compared with the one that burst on to TV screens and stages in 1999.

A spokesman from Endemol Worldwide Distribution said the company worked closely with licensees and retailers to ensure merchandise featuring the current Hi-5 line-up was readily available.

Four DVDs featuring the present cast are available as well as back catalogue DVDs featuring the original members.

Although Maddren replaced Foley and Stevie Nicholson replaced Tim Harding, being the new Tim has occasionally confused children. "I had a funny incident yesterday in Randwick Children's Hospital where we were talking to a boy and he said 'right now let me guess your names'," said Maddren.

"He points to me and goes 'Tim' and we go 'yes'. Then he points at Stevie and goes 'Nathan' - then he went 'Charli, Kellie, Kathleen'. It was quite funny in that regard.

"But the kids are starting to really know us now."

Maddren is looking forward to bringing the Hi-5 Surprise! tour to the Regal Theatre next month.

He has fond memories of Perth, having studied at WAAPA from 2003 to 2005.

"I loved it I really did, it was my introduction to Australia because I moved from New Zealand straight to Perth," he said.

"I have a big soft spot for the place; I love Leederville, Cafe 130, Mt Lawley and Freo. I feel even though it is isolated it has a really good sense of community and also a really good strong cultural heart."

Maddren toured with musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof and Altar Boyz before his sister encouraged him to put his rapport with his nieces and nephews to good use by auditioning for Hi-5.

Hi-5 Surprise! is at the Regal Theatre on April 8 and 9. Tickets from Ticketek.