Man-eating plant a hard act to follow, but how about Juanita the lobster?

Last year he performed opposite a man-eating plant named Audrey. Now actor Matthew Hale will tackle an even more outrageous character, narrating one of two music-accompanied stories for the City Chamber Orchestra's family concerts tomorrow.

'I didn't think when I finished my conservatoire training that I would be playing a female lobster, but I'm happy to do it,' said Hale, who came to Hong Kong in 2005 to teach singing and conduct the Kassia Youth Choir for Katterwall music school. He will play the title role in Juanita the Spanish Lobster. 'They needed someone who could tell a story, but also a trained singer. I don't just play Juanita. I also play a boy lobster and all Juanita's lobster friends.'

The concert double-bill also includes Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, spoken by RTHK 4's Nancy Loo.

Part of what drew Hale to this role was its child-friendly appeal: 'If they sit and close their eyes, they can imagine so much.' There are two performances of The Little Mermaid and Juanita the Spanish Lobster at 3pm and 7.30pm at the City Hall Concert Hall. Tickets are HK$220, HK$180 and HK$100 from URBTIX or call 2734 9009.