Never work with animals or children – or so the saying goes. But for comedian Dai Henwood, working with kids was a life-changing experience.
The 7 Days comedian-turned-actor worked alongside children in his new film Kiwi Flyer, hitting cinemas this week. Not a father himself, Dai (34), who is married to publicist Jo Kelly, found his on-set experience made him realise his hopes of becoming a dad one day.
“I think I’d be good at [being a dad],” says Dai. “I’d be really encouraging, that is something that really came through from the directors working with the kids.”
A self-proclaimed “big kid at heart”, Dai says he’s often told he brings a child-like enthusiasm to the set of 7 Days, so working with the two young lead actors, Edward Halland and Tikirau Hathaway, suited him perfectly.
Dai on the set of ‘Kiwi Flyer’
“They were so professional, but I just liked working on it because kids are amazing. How much energy they have is ridiculous, people pay good money to have that kind of energy – it’s infectious.
“I’m an only child but I grew up with lots of friends and [working on the film] reminded me of being young again. It’s been an amazing experience with the kids and rewarding – I’d definitely do it again.”
Up against big budget US kids’ flicks at the school holiday-packed cinemas, Kiwi Flyer is definitely the underdog at the box office. But Dai, who brought his six-year-old nephew to the premiere, says he thinks the film will have a broad appeal.
Kiwi Flyer is inspired by the annual Collingwood Street trolley derby in Nelson, which Dai says is refreshing in an age where there is a tendency for some parents to overprotect their kids.
A scene from the set of ‘Kiwi Flyer’
“The awesome thing about a trolley derby was that the kids were able to show their mischievous kid side. I’ve never see kids happier than when they were actually able to have a hoon.
“It reminded me of my childhood… I was brought up in the early 1980s, back when playgrounds were covered in bark chips and there was a big cast iron merry-go-round. If you fell into the bark [you] ended up with about 3000 splinters, but you’d have lots of fun.”
Kiwi Flyer marks Dai’s first major acting role since a stint on Xena: Warrior Princess in 2001. And although he’s proud of the film he’s not giving up his day job as a standup comedian and 7 Days panelist anytime soon.
This week he is taking part in the show’s 100th episode, and Dai says he is proud of what he and his fellow comedians have been able to achieve.
“It’s nice to be in a show that resonates with a lot of families and it can be a guilty pleasure that they can watch together.
“The [show’s] really hit a mark with people – what I’ve been most happy with is the consistency, because we do deliver every week and that reflects in the ratings.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Fiona Tomlinson
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
