Amy on home ground with Peppa, Fifi and The Flowertots

If there's a rule to the art of performance, it's expecting the unexpected.

Though when you're introducing a giant fuzzy pig to a crowd of shrieking toddlers on a daily basis, your capacity for surprise might be a bit diminished.

A bit like your energy levels.

"The thing with children's theatre is that you give that bit more energy – and you certainly get it back," said Amy Thompson, the Hull-born actress.

This Friday Mexican night at The Black Bull, Burton Pidsea, Two...

Black Bull

View details

Print voucher

Indulge with our delicious range of specially selected Mexican dishes available from 5pm to 8:30pm this Friday 21st June. Traditional evening menu also available.

Terms: Terms: Friday the 21st June only, from 5pm to 8:30pm. Offer includes two main Mexican courses. Minimum 2 people dining.

Contact: 01964 770402

Valid until: Saturday, June 22 2013

"I feel drained afterwards. It's certainly keeping me fit."

Amy, a regular with Hull Truck Theatre, joined Channel 5 as a childrens' presenter for Milkshake! in March.

And, since then, the University Of Hull graduate also been out on the road in a live version of this morning programme which features cartoons, such as Peppa Pig, and the stop-motion puppetry of Fifi and The Flowertots.

The stage version of the show sees Amy introduce 10 characters from Milkshake! programmes, including Peppa and Fifi, for a series of a sing-along songs and dance routines.

While it might sound testing, Amy's regular appearances in Truck Tales – Hull Truck's children's theatre program – has made her well prepared for the onslaught of tiny, shrill voices.

"I really enjoy working with children," she said.

"On stage it's all about being 'big' – throwing your arms around. With the TV it's more about being natural, as if you're in the room with them.

"The thing with kids TV is not to patronise them but talk to them as you would any other human being."

Amy, 27, who grew up on Windsor Road, west Hull, has moved down to London for her work at Five's studios in Camden and Tottenham Court Road.

Between 6am and 9.15am, she presents the live links between the cartoons.

"It was something that I always wanted to do, but never had the opportunity before," Amy said.

"The TV side of it is quite daunting. I didn't sleep the night before my first appearance. I was very scared, but I wanted to do a good job, I did not want to let myself down.

"I am quite critical of myself – I am a bit of a perfectionist."

"In the morning there are 24 live links to do in between the different programmes but once I'd done a couple on the first day, I really began to enjoy myself."

The actress is contracted to do the theatre and the television show until September and loves the mix of performance styles it presents.

As to what happens beyond the autumn, Amy's not yet sure – though she felt a certain nostalgia when visiting the new Hull Truck building last week, during a break from a performance in Sheffield.

"It was quite strange to be back at Truck, but in a completely new building," she said.

"It's a really exciting thing for the city, and hopefully I'll get to appear there myself.

"Although part of being a performer is not really knowing what happens next."

* Milkshake! Live is at Hull New Theatre, Kingston Square, Hull, on Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27. Tuesday, 4.30pm, Wednesday, 11am and 2.30pm. Tickets are £12.50-£14.50, call the box office on (01482) 226655