The Magic House (TV series)

The Magic House is a British children's television animation puppet show created by Joe Austen, that was broadcast on Scottish Television from 7 January 1994 to 30 July 1996. The television programme was adapted from a series of children's books written and illustrated by Austen in the early 1980s. The show's 52 10-minute episodes were aired across the ITV Network between 1994 and 1996.[1] As well as the television episodes, a spin-off series of books was also produced, written and illustrated by Joe Austen.[2] The show, which featured Uncle Teapot, Kitty Kettle, Barney Bin and other characters based on household items, proved a success with the characters appearing in adverts for the Trustee Savings Bank for children's savings accounts.[3]

The Magic House
GenreChildren's
Created byJoe Austen
Written byJoe Austen
Directed bySimon Staffurth
Adrian Edwards
StarringPeter Forbes
Symon Macintyre
Colin Purves
Julie Westwood
Brian Herring
Heather Fraser
Dave Murden
Michael Bayliss
Marie Phillips
Theme music composerKim Goody
Alan Coates
Opening theme"We're So Happy to See You in the Magic House"
Ending theme"We're So Happy to See You in the Magic House"
(Instrumental)
ComposersKim Goody
Alan Coates
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersSandy Ross
Rhoda MacDonald
ProducersAdrian Edwards
John Price
EditorRobert Scott
Running time10 minutes
Production companyScottish Television
Release
Original networkITV (CITV)
Original release1994 (1994) –
1996 (1996)

Characters
  • Barney Bin
  • Bessy Brush
  • Grandpa Clock
  • HG Well
  • Kitty Kettle
  • PC Pot
  • Soapy Bubbles
  • Uncle Teapot
  • Teddy Chair
  • The Eggcups
  • Jack Salt
  • Paddy Pepper
  • Sam Spade
  • Waffle
  • Peek, Gobble and Fluff

Production and ownership

In 2001 the Dundee-based Austen bought back the rights to The Magic House and other shows produced by his Storyland company.[4] Ownership of Storyland where previously in the hands of Carlton Television and Scottish Media Group in 2003.[5]

Plans for a revival

In 2005, a new television series, as well as various types of books for the series, were planned to be developed.[6]

Episodes
Series First air date Last air date Episodes
1 7 January 1994 (1994-01-07) 1 July 1994 (1994-07-01) 26
2 7 February 1995 (1995-02-07) 2 May 1995 (1995-05-02) 13
3 2 January 1996 (1996-01-02) 30 July 1996 (1996-07-30) 13

Series 1
  1. Moving Pictures - 7 January 1994
  2. Air Fare - 14 January 1994
  3. Apple Pie Bed - 21 January 1994
  4. Ups & Downs - 28 January 1994
  5. Down in the Dumps - 4 February 1994
  6. Mirror Mirror - 11 February 1994
  7. A Drop in the Bucket - 18 February 1994
  8. Whats in the Box - 25 February 1994
  9. Cat & Dog - 4 March 1994
  10. Blind Mans Buff - 11 March 1994
  11. Curious Cases - 18 March 1994
  12. The Runaway Trees - 25 March 1994
  13. Exercising - 1 April 1994
  14. Sticking Together - 8 April 1994
  15. Sound Asleep - 15 April 1994
  16. Kind Hearts & Juicy Pies - 22 April 1994
  17. Full Moon - 29 April 1994
  18. Now You See Her - 6 May 1994
  19. Big Blowout - 13 May 1994
  20. Fast & Tight - 20 May 1994
  21. Pig Business - 27 May 1994
  22. Absent Friends - 3 June 1994
  23. Ready Teddy Go - 10 June 1994
  24. What A Balloon - 17 June 1994
  25. Blowing Hot & Cold - 24 June 1994
  26. Musical Chairs - 1 July 1994

Series 2
  1. The New Arrival (A.K.A Meet Waffle) - 7 February 1995
  2. Colours and Painting - 14 February 1995
  3. Soapy Bubble’s Little Troubles - 21 February 1995
  4. Football on the Beach - 28 February 1995
  5. The Waffle Cycle - 7 March 1995
  6. Cloud Animals - 14 March 1995
  7. Peek a Boo PC Pot - 21 March 1995
  8. The Magic Watch - 28 March 1995
  9. Trip to the Seaside - 2 May 1995
  10. PC Pot’s Long Lost Relative - 9 May 1995
  11. Barney Bin’s 5 Wishes - 16 May 1995
  12. Food Marvellous Food - 23 May 1995
  13. The Pantomime - 30 May 1995

Series 3
  1. Gobble, Peek and Fluff - 2 January 1996
  2. The New Wonder Hat - 9 January 1996
  3. The Wishing Tree - 16 January 1996
  4. Dreamland - 23 January 1996
  5. Follow the Leader - 30 January 1996
  6. Winter Wonderland - 27 February 1996
  7. Wibbly Wobbly - 5 March 1996
  8. Guess The Music Instruments - 12 March 1996
  9. Toys Everywhere - 19 March 1996
  10. X Marks The Spot - 9 July 1996
  11. Copies - 16 July 1996
  12. Kitty's Birthday - 23 July 1996
  13. It’s a Wonderful Life of Pc Pot - 30 July 1996

UK VHS releases

The show was released as 3 VHS tapes in the mid 90s.

VHS Title Release Date Episodes
The Magic House Moving Pictures and other Stories (VC1363) 6 June 1994 Moving Pictures, Air Fare, Apple Pie Bed, Ups and Downs, Down in the Dumps
The Magic House Cat and Dog and other Stories (VC1366) 6 June 1994 Mirror Mirror, A Drop in the Bucket, What's in the Box, Cat and Dog, Blind Man's Buff

References
  1. "Joe Austen". Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. 2010. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  2. "Magic House". Storyland. 1996. Archived from the original on 1 September 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  3. Mike Woodcock (13 December 2004). "Storyland". Interactive Tayside. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  4. Kristy Dorsey (18 December 2001). "Storyland buys back ownership". The Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  5. Ron Clark (10 November 2003). "Two deals help put Storyland on road to flotation Dundee company aims for more success". The Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  6. "Storyland — Magic House". Archived from the original on 1 September 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
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