Edmond Dantès
Dantès the White
The new Clangers series comes to CBeebies in Spring 2015. Here's a glimpse of what's to come.
The pink, long-nosed, inventive and loveable mouse-shaped creatures who live on a small blue planet out in the starry stretches of space demonstrate how to watch an eclipse safely:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsAyyOKoTik
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Clangers set to make return to BBC on CBeebies
Press releaseThe iconic and much-loved British cult classic animated television show, Clangers, is set to make a welcome return to its home on the BBC after 45 years.
The joint announcement is made by CBeebies, Coolabi, Smallfilms and US 24-hour pre-school network, Sprout, who together are co-producing the new pre-school series, with BBC Worldwide for its international channels. BBC Worldwide is also confirmed as the international distributor for the show. The £5 million production is already underway and is set for a highly anticipated return to the small screen in 2015.
Clangers, which previously launched on the BBC in 1969, are pink, long-nosed, inventive and loveable mouse-shaped creatures who live on a small blue planet, out in the starry stretches of space, not far from Earth. Its surface is peppered with holes topped with metal dustbin lids, which flip open with a Clang! to reveal steps down to their home beneath the surface of the planet - containing a series of interconnecting tunnels and caves. Kind and generous creatures, they communicate with distinctive whistles, and a narrator comments on the thrilling and often hilarious events which occur in every episode.
The Clangers are a family. The cast of characters consists of Major, Mother, Small (a boy), Tiny (a girl) and Granny. Other favourites returning to the new series are The Soup Dragon, who provides green soup from the soup wells; The Iron Chicken, whose favourite food is nuts and bolts; the Glow Buzzers, who create a magical light inside the caves, and the mischievous Froglets. These and many other peculiar creatures, make a simple, sometimes surreal, but always harmonious world of fun, imagination, exploration and invention, which pre-schoolers and parents alike will enjoy over and over again.
The recurring themes within the Clangers include: the importance of community, caring for the planet and encouraging and nurturing a sense of wonder and natural curiosity.
The classic Smallfilms series, originally created by founding fathers of UK animation, Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate (Bagpuss, Ivor The Engine, Noggin The Nog), will be produced in stop motion animation by specialists, Factory Transmedia (Strange Hill High, Raa Raa The Noisy Lion), and award-winning puppet makers and producers, Mackinnon and Saunders (Tim Burtons Corpse Bride, Wes Andersons Fantastic Mr Fox, Chicken Run, Mars Attacks, Bob The Builder, Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, Frankensteins Cat and Postman Pat).
Michael Palin confirmed as narrator for new Clangers
...continued: hereAward-winning actor, writer, presenter and comedian Michael Palin has been confirmed as narrator for the much-anticipated new Clangers series (52x11') - a contemporary version of the British classic animated television show.
The new series is being co-produced by CBeebies, Coolabi Group, Smallfilms and Sprout, and will air in the UK in Spring 2015.
Michael Palin is best-known for being one of the members of the comedy legends Monty Python and for his ground-breaking travel documentaries. Of his role in the new Clangers series, he said: The world of the Clangers is delightful and irresistible. It's a real pleasure and a great privilege to be a part of its return to television.
The Clangers marks the multi-award winning entertainers first foray into childrens animation, having previously authored a collection of childrens books. His humour, insight and warmth have made him a firm favourite both in the UK and abroad and he is now turning his talents to yet another sphere, observing and commenting on the charming, surprising and wonderful activities of the Clangers.
Palin takes up the mantle from the late Oliver Postgate, creator and narrator of the original series, who is often cited alongside original Clangers co-creator, Peter Firmin, as one of the founding fathers of UK animation.
Olivers son, Daniel Postgate, who will be executive producing the new series alongside Peter Firmin, commented: Michael Palin was my first and favourite choice, so of course I'm absolutely delighted. Among other things, he's been a warm and charming guide for us all in his extensive travels around this world, so it seems wonderfully appropriate that he should pack his bags once more, go off across the starry expanse of space and do the same for the world of the Clangers."