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 55 10-minute episodes were aired across the ITV Network between 1994 and 1998.[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 companiesSTV Productions
(Scottish Television)
Release
Original networkITV Network (CITV)
Picture format4:3
Original release7 January 1994 (1994-01-07) –
30 July 1996 (1996-07-30)
Chronology
Related showsWimzie's House
Bits and Bobs
Art Attack
Fimbles
Teletubbies

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 Puff

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]

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. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 September 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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