Wizadora

Wizadora is a children's television programme created by Don Arioli and Carolyne Cullum. It was originally broadcast on SWR in 1991 and it was used as an English-language learning tool for non-English speakers. In 1993, the series was picked up by ITV in the United Kingdom.

Wizadora
Cover of one of the Wizadora video releases, showing Tatty Bogle (Steven Ryde) and Wizadora (Wendy van der Plank)
Created by
Starring
ComposersHutt 'N' Thrust
Rod Anderson
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes200 [1]
Production
ProducerJanie Grace
Running time10 (Oxford series)
15 (ITV, series 1)
9 (ITV, series 2-7)
Release
Original networkITV (CITV)
Original release
  • Oxford series:
    15 September 1991 (1991-09-15) – 3 November 1991 (1991-11-03)
  • CITV:
    5 January 1993 (1993-01-05) – 26 February 1998 (1998-02-26)

Development

A pilot show starred Fawlty Towers writer and actress Connie Booth, who had been alerted to the character by John Cleese who had taken an interest in the production. The pilot was never broadcast.

The concept was then developed into a language teaching tool for children to learn the English language, published by Oxford University Press in 1991. Books, audio, and media were produced alongside the series. The title role of Wizadora was played by Connie Booth in an unaired pilot, before Maria Gough took on the title role for Oxford University Press. Cathy Lawday was the writer and editor of the books and media produced for Oxford.

In 1992, Meridian Broadcasting took up the series. Considerable changes were made for this series. Some major changes included the introduction of Wendy van der Plank as Wizadora, who remained as the character from 1993 to 1996. Lizzie McPhee took over the role in 1997 until the series end. Tatty, who was originally played by a woman (Debbie Cumming), was now played by a man (Joe Greco 1993–94, Steven Ryde 1994–98) and Phoebe, who was originally played by actor Emma Amos, was re-introduced as a "life-sized" model. Many characters were introduced and the original characters were given a makeover. Connie Booth was brought back in to write episodes for the series among others.

Characters
  • Wizadora – the title character, a trainee and later apprentice wizard who receives her magic wand in the pilot episode, who initially has problems getting her spells right. Some of the things in Wizadora's kitchen are able to talk due to stray spells. Wizadora often breaks the fourth wall and talks to the viewers and usually asks for their help when casting her spells. Wizadora's catchphrases include "Oh, botheration!" and "Time for a bit of Wizzification!".

Wizadora's companions included –

  • Tatty Bogle – a dim-witted scarecrow who lives in Wizadora's back garden and continually gets words muddled up. The character was played by a woman before being reintroduced as a man for ITV. Played in the ITV series by Joe Greco[2](1993) and Steven Ryde (1994–1997). Ryde was the voice-over announcer between programmes for the CITV service during the same period.
  • Stan the Shopkeeper. He regularly takes delivery of new magical catalogue items and is very cautious of Wizadora's spells. Played by Brian Murphy
  • Pippa the Postwoman. She rides a bike on her rounds and ofter becomes tired. Played by Tessa Hatts
  • Top/Sticky/Bottom – three talking drawer people, who resemble socks. Once described as "a real nuisance" by Wizadora, they are very naughty, usually teasing Hangle and/or Filbert, and are always attempting to steal food or getting up to some kind of mischief whenever Wizadora's back is turned. Their antics usually end up causing much trouble; one time Top invented a Grub Grabber to try and steal some food, but the device frightened Filbert who accidentally knocked over some potions, some of which got into Very Old Fish's tank and turned him into a purple blob. Wizadora usually punishes them by zapping them back into their drawers with her wand.
  • Phoebe – a talking telephone. Early in the series, actor Emma Amos was dressed in a pink costume to play the role. In the ITV series Phoebe was re-introduced as a 'life-sized' model telephone, pink with a yellow headset, but later on, she's orange while her headset turns red. From series 6, her headset is red with coloured stars. Phoebe answers calls, takes messages, and speaks various languages. Phoebe was voiced by 4 different voice actors during the ITV series run.
  • Filbert (ITV Series 1–5 only) – a squeaking vegetable (a Vegimal) and a fellow trainee wizard. He is also regularly seen gardening. He was born from a seed in the first ITV series and at first Wizadora had no idea as to who he was. He loves to water the plants and is best friends with Tatty. In the first season, Filbert talked in gibberish as he was still learning how to speak, and in later series, English as the character develops. Filbert often got himself into trouble, although meaning well. He is very kind-hearted and is always offering to help out Wizadora or Tatty. In Season 5, he leaves Wizadora's place to start a new life independently as shown in the episode "Filbert's New House".
  • Dog Doormat – a barking doormat (Only seen in the first ITV series)
  • Hangle – a purple coat hanger (but who insists on calling himself a cloak hanger) with a yellow rain coat, glasses and a purple moustache. Has quite an obsession with cleaning. For instance, in the episode 'Hangle's big day' he locks everyone out in the garden because he thinks they are too untidy. As a result, he ends up hurting his back due to being too stubborn. He has a crude sense of humour and is also quite bossy. In the first episode of Series 1, Hangle introduces himself as "Cliff Hangle, cloak hanger extraordinaire".
  • Very Old Fish – a cryptic talking male fish who told stories about his life.
  • Poot (ITV Series 2 onwards)– Wizadora's computer. Poot was often used to help with Wizadora's questions. For series 2 and 3 Poot was male, green and flat shaped. In the later series he changed to female and to a more computer like machine with a pale orange face (Rebecca Nagan's).
  • Nigel the Snail- (ITV series Two onwards) A blue snail who lives with Very Old Fish.
  • The Crows (series 3 onwards) – Boris and his brother Horace cause mayhem for Tatty Bogle in the garden.
  • Roxy – a quite friendly talking spider who lives in Tatty's tree house. (Introduced in 1996)
  • Dusty – A creature who lives under the fridge, he has a very loud operatic voice and is usually sleeping (seen in the first series for ITV and again in series 6)
  • Tom and Katie- (Oxford series only) Two children who lived near Wizadora. Not seen in the ITV series. Played by Harriet Carmichael and Adam Johnstone.

Other cast and credits

Puppeteers Phil Eason, Francis Wright, Michael Bayliss, Sue Dacre, Jeremy Stockwell, Don Austen, Brian Herring, Neil Sterenberg, Rebecca Nagan, Debbie Cumming, and Sheila Clark worked on the series.

The ITV series was made for Meridian Broadcasting by production companies Workhouse and North Pole Productions at The Fountain Studios in New Malden and directed by David Crozier. Fifteen episodes of Series 3 were directed by Wendy J. Dyer. The theme music was composed by Dave Hutton who was also the Senior Cameraman on the first four series of the show. The theme tune for the ITV series was recorded at Gordon Thrussell's studios at Ashford in Kent and the credits show music by 'Hutt and Thrust'. This was because the director, David Crozier, did not want the same name for two different credits on the programme (i.e.: Snr Cameraman and Music). The other cameramen were Roger Backhouse, and Angus Macmillan and sometimes Steve Leach. The vision mixer was Julie Miller.

Transmission guide
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
Oxford815 September 1991 (1991-09-15)3 November 1991 (1991-11-03)
1185 January 1993 (1993-01-05)4 May 1993 (1993-05-04)
2306 September 1993 (1993-09-06)6 July 1994 (1994-07-06)
3307 September 1994 (1994-09-07)15 December 1994 (1994-12-15)
4325 September 1995 (1995-09-05)21 December 1995 (1995-12-21)
5343 September 1996 (1996-09-03)26 December 1996 (1996-12-26)
6202 September 1997 (1997-09-02)23 October 1997 (1997-10-23)
73228 October 1997 (1997-10-28)26 February 1998 (1998-02-26)

One episode of Wizadora starring Lizzie Mcphee was broadcast on CITV on Saturday, 5 January 2013 (the show's 20th anniversary) as part of a CITV anniversary special. The Channel received its highest viewing figures to date: Wizadora attracted 460,000 followed by Danger Mouse, which attracted 578,000 viewers during the old skool weekend run.[3] This was the first time the show has been broadcast in the UK since it was shown on Living TV in the early 2000s. As of June 2020, episodes from Series One are now showing on BritBox in the UK.

Oxford Series (1991)
  1. Phoebe Calling - 15 September 1991
  2. A Red Banana - 22 September 1991
  3. Happy Birthday - 29 September 1991
  4. The Magic Cloak - 6 October 1991
  5. Can You Fly? - 13 October 1991
  6. Where Is Katie? - 20 October 1991
  7. The Picnic - 27 October 1991
  8. Hangle Is Lost - 3 November 1991

Series 1 (1993)
  1. The Magic Parcel - 5 January 1993
  2. Time For Tidying - 12 January 1993
  3. Hello Filbert - 19 January 1993
  4. A Colourful Day - 26 January 1993
  5. Lovely Weather - 2 February 1993
  6. Picnic Problems - 9 February 1993
  7. Mops & Bicycles - 16 February 1993
  8. Hangle In Charge - 23 February 1993
  9. A Very Special Day - 2 March 1993
  10. Wellingtons & Snails - 9 March 1993
  11. The Purple Powder - 16 March 1993
  12. Tea Time Troubles - 23 March 1993
  13. The Octocleaner - 30 March 1993
  14. Wand & Superwand - 6 April 1993
  15. Eggs & Bicycles - 13 April 1993
  16. Tricky Things Umbrellas - 20 April 1993
  17. Autumn Laughter - 27 April 1993
  18. Firework Party - 4 May 1993

Series 2 (1993-1994)
  1. Poot Saves The Day - 6 September 1993
  2. A Change For Filbert - 13 September 1993
  3. A Good Day For Sun - 20 September 1993
  4. Just Your Imagination - 22 September 1993
  5. The Thingummy Jig - 27 September 1993
  6. Where Was I? - 29 September 1993
  7. I Smell A Smell - 4 October 1993
  8. The Squeaking Door - 6 October 1993
  9. Magical Music - 11 October 1993
  10. To Have And To Have More - 13 October 1993
  11. Rhyme Time - 18 October 1993
  12. I Spy - 20 October 1993
  13. Cheers And Tears - 25 October 1993
  14. Round And Round The Garden - 27 October 1993
  15. Eat Well, Stay Well - 1 November 1993
  16. Look Before You Leap - 3 November 1993
  17. Easy As One Two Three - 8 November 1993
  18. Strangers Among Us - 10 November 1993
  19. Five Carrot Pie - 15 November 1993
  20. Something Old, Something New - 17 November 1993
  21. Be Careful, Wizadora! - 22 November 1993
  22. Soft, Strong, Brittle And Weak - 24 November 1993
  23. Coughs And Sneezes - 29 November 1993
  24. No More Please - 1 December 1993
  25. Who Needs Elbows - 6 December 1993
  26. Mine All Mine - 8 December 1993
  27. A Use For Everything - 13 December
  28. Peace And Quiet - 29 June 1994
  29. A Matter Of Size - 30 June 1994
  30. Good Friends - 6 July 1994

Series 3 (1994)
  1. A Message from Max - 7 September 1994
  2. Pips And Plants - 8 September 1994
  3. Sneezeberries - 14 September 1994
  4. Too Big, Too Small - 15 September 1994
  5. Bubble Trouble - 21 September 1994
  6. A Sing-Song For Stan - 22 September 1994
  7. Sixes and Nines - 28 September 1994
  8. All Together Now! - 29 September 1994
  9. I Smell a Lie - 5 October 1994
  10. Pippa's Surprise - 6 October 1994
  11. Cheer Up, Filbert! - 12 October 1994
  12. Let's Dance! - 13 October 1994
  13. The Shopping List - 19 October 1994
  14. Tatty's Tablecloth - 20 October 1994
  15. The Tantrum Spell - 26 October 1994
  16. The Great Flood - 27 October 1994
  17. Buttons and Holes - 2 November 1994
  18. The Litter Spell - 3 November 1994
  19. Fun with Books - 9 November 1994
  20. No Time for Tea Time - 10 November 1994
  21. Hard, Soft, Smooth and Rough - 16 November 1994
  22. The Grabber - 17 November 1994
  23. Pedal Power - 23 November 1994
  24. The Mud Monster - 24 November 1994
  25. Wool Trouble - 30 November 1994
  26. Pots And Spells - 1 December 1994
  27. That's What Friends Are For - 7 December 1994
  28. A Stuck Sticky - 8 December 1994
  29. Use Your Imagination - 14 December 1994
  30. Beginnings and Endings - 15 December 1994

Series 4 (1995)
  1. Beside the Seaside - 5 September 1995
  2. Sounds Brilliant - 7 September 1995
  3. Bless You! - 12 September 1995
  4. You Can Count on Poot - 14 September 1995
  5. Follow That Track! - 19 September 1995
  6. Here's One We Made Earlier - 21 September 1995
  7. Who's Afraid of the Dark? - 26 September 1995
  8. Good Winners and Bad Losers - 28 September 1995
  9. Communication Break Down - 3 October 1995
  10. Snow in July - 5 October 1995
  11. Making Pippa Strong - 10 October 1995
  12. Glad Rags - 12 October 1995
  13. Shape Up - 17 October 1995
  14. Hangle Takes A Trip - 19 October 1995
  15. Mirror, Mirror - 24 October 1995
  16. Tatty's New Boots - 26 October 1995
  17. Inside Out - 31 October 1995
  18. Stan's the Man - 2 November 1995
  19. I Spy With My Little Eye - 7 November 1995
  20. Filbert's New House - 9 November 1995
  21. Top of the List - 14 November 1995
  22. It's a Good Job - 16 November 1995
  23. Shadow Monsters - 21 November 1995
  24. Boots, Beads and Beards - 23 November 1995
  25. Watch Out Below - 28 November 1995
  26. Sharing Magic - 30 November 1995
  27. Big 'Uns and Little 'Uns - 5 December 1995
  28. Sticky Moments - 7 December 1995
  29. Too Full - 12 December 1995
  30. Making and Breaking - 14 December 1995
  31. First Things First - 19 December 1995
  32. Fish Alive - 21 December 1995

Series 5 (1996)
  1. Tatty Town - 10 September 1996
  2. Wizadora Plays Football- 12 September 1996
  3. Drawer People Behaving Badly - 17 September 1996
  4. Aunt Dora's Parcel - 19 September 1996
  5. Bottom Gets Lost - 24 September 1996
  6. There’s No Place Like Home - 26 September
  7. Take Care - 1 October 1996
  8. Something Fishy - 3 October 1996
  9. The Music Spell - 8 October 1996
  10. Wizadora's Bad Dream - 10 October 1996
  11. Sentimental Journey - 15 October 1996
  12. What’s Yours Is Mine - 17 October 1996
  13. What’s Yours Is Mine - 22 October 1996
  14. I’m In Charge - 24 October 1996
  15. Hurry Up - 29 October 1996
  16. Jungle Fever - 31 October 1996
  17. Roxy’s Web - 5 November 1996
  18. What Did You Say - 7 November 1996
  19. Old Habits Die Hard - 12 November 1996
  20. A Moving Story - 14 November 1996
  21. Safety Last - 19 November 1996
  22. Stan’s Difficult Day - 21 November 1996
  23. Bending The Rules - 26 November 1996
  24. The Crows - 28 November 1996
  25. A Rainy Day - 3 December 1996
  26. Hangle’s Big Day - 5 December 1996
  27. Knit Twit - 10 December 1996
  28. The Jealous Queen - 12 December 1996
  29. You Are What You Are - 17 December 1996
  30. Christmas Day - 19 December 1996

Series 6 (1997)
  1. The Paper Chase - 7 January 1997
  2. Crow Overboard - 9 January 1997
  3. If We Could Be Giants - 14 January 1997
  4. The Strange Parcel - 16 January 1997
  5. Episode 005 - 21 January 1997
  6. Cheese Tasting Tuesday - 23 January 1997
  7. Sticking Together - 28 January 1997
  8. The Wish Spell - 30 January 1997
  9. A Night Out - 4 February 1997
  10. Tatty's Birthday Surprise - 6 February 1997
  11. The Upside Down Spell - 11 February 1997
  12. The Wrong Cloak - 13 February 1997
  13. No Doughnut For Breakfast - 2 September 1997
  14. The Useful Spell - 4 September 1997
  15. The Mystery Box - 9 September 1997
  16. It’s Time For Rhyme Time - 11 September 1997
  17. The Helpful Spell - 16 September 1997
  18. Dream On - 18 September 1997
  19. A Promise Is A Promise - 23 September 1997
  20. Collecting Crows - 25 September 1997
  21. Welcome Back Tatty - 30 September 1997
  22. Friends - 2 October 1997

Series 7 (1997)
  1. The Old Switcheroo - 7 October 1997
  2. The Strange Spell - 9 October 1997
  3. The Mischievous Spell - 14 October 1997
  4. Tottie Bagel - 16 October 1997
  5. Wizadora Shrinks - 21 October 1997
  6. Episode 006 - 23 October 1997
  7. Good Manners - 28 October 1997
  8. Tiny Troubles - 4 November 1997
  9. We Should Be So Lucky - 6 November 1997
  10. The Magic Carpet - 11 November 1997
  11. Wizadora's Bad Day - 13 November 1997
  12. No More Miss Mice Wiz - 18 November 1997
  13. Who Is Important - 20 November 1997
  14. Plant Power - 25 November 1997
  15. The Talent Contest - 27 November 1997
  16. A Quick Snack - 2 December 1997
  17. GGG-Ghosts - 4 December 1997
  18. Down Goes Top - 9 December 1997
  19. Sing Sing Sing - 11 December 1997
  20. Wizadora's Christmas Carol Part 1 – 16 December 1997
  21. Wizadora's Christmas Carol Part 2 Goodbye Wizadora – 18 December 1997
  22. Episode 022 - 6 January 1998
  23. Hangle’s Got Chicken Pox - 8 January 1998
  24. A Right Pain - 13 January 1998
  25. No Place Like Home - 15 January 1998
  26. One Is Fun - 20 January 1998
  27. Future Shop - 22 January 1998
  28. If I Only Had A Heart - 27 January 1998
  29. Big Business - 29 January 1998
  30. Good Food Bad Food - 3 February 1998
  31. Exciting Times - 5 February 1998
  32. Episode 032 - 10 February 1998
  33. Wizadora Disappears - 12 February 1998
  34. Episode 034 - 17 February 1998
  35. Double Trouble - 19 February 1998
  36. Tatty’s Birthday Surprise - 24 February 1998
  37. Episode 037 - 26 February 1998

Home video and DVD

The earliest version of the show has been on DVD (Oxford Press). However, this is not the ITV version and is instead an educational package.

Video Collection International

Some VHS cassettes were released in the mid-1990s with episodes from series one and series three are on The Video Collection International, except for series three.

  1. Wizadora – The Magic Parcel (14 June 1993) Includes: The Magic Parcel, Time For Tidying, and Hello Filbert.
  2. Wizadora – A Colourful Day (26 July 1993) Includes: A Colourful Day, Lovely Weather and Picnic Problems.
  3. Wizadora – Mops and Bicycles (16 August 1993) Mops and Bicycles, Hangle In Charge and A Very Special Day.
  4. Wizadora – Wellingtons and Snails (1 August 1994) Wellingtons and Snails, The Purple Powder and Tea Time Troubles.
  5. My Little Wizadora – The Magic Parcel/Time For Tidying (1 April 1996)
  6. My Little Wizadora – Hello Filbert/A Colourful Day (1 July 1996)
  7. My Little Wizadora – Lovely Weather / Picnic Problems (7 October 1996)
  8. My Little Wizadora – Mops and Bicycles/Hangle In Charge (4 November 1996)

Astrion Video
  1. Wizadora – A Message from Max’’ (3 April 1995) A Message From Max and five other stories
  2. Wizadora – Sneezeberries (3 April 1995) Sneezeberries and five other stories
  3. Wizadora – Too Big, Too Small (18 August 1995) Too Big, Too Small and five other stories
  4. ’’Wizadora - Sixes And Nines’’ (18 August 1995) Sixes and Nines and five other stories
  5. ’’Wizadora - Bubble Trouble’’ (18 August 1995) Bubble Trouble and five other stories

UK VHS releases
VHS Title Release Date Episodes
Wizadora – The Magic Parcel (VC1297) 14 June 1993 The Magic Parcel, Time For Tidying, Hello Filbert
Wizadora – A Colourful Day (VC1304) 26 July 1993 A Colourful Day, Lovely Weather, Picnic Problems
Wizadora – Mops and Bicycles (VC1308) 16 August 1993 Mops and Bicycles, Hangle In Charge, A Very Special Day
Wizadora – Wellingtons and Snails (VC1328) 1 August 1994 Wellingtons and Snails, The Purple Powder, Tea Time Troubles
My Little Wizadora – The Magic Parcel/Time For Tidying (ML0019) 1 April 1996 The Magic Parcel, Time For Tidying
My Little Wizadora – Lovely Weather/Picnic Problems (ML0020) 1 July 1996 Lovely Weather, Picnic Problems
My Little Wizadora – Mops and Bicycles/Hangle In Charge (ML0021) 1 July 1996 Mops and Bicycles, Hangle In Charge
My Little Wizadora – Hello Filbert/A Colourful Day (ML0031) 7 October 1996 Hello Filbert, A Colourful Day

DVD releases
  • "Wizadora – Oxford DVD"
  • "Wizadora – A message From Max And Other Stories"
  • Wizadora – Series One, Volume One.

Revamp

In 2003, Entertainment Rights produced a 9-minute pilot for a proposed rebooted series for Channel 5's Milkshake! strand with Anne Foy as Wizadora. Although a new version of the original theme tune was used and the overall look of the set generally in keeping with the earlier version, characters were given varying makeovers, with none of the original models being used, and several new minor characters introduced. CGI and Chroma key effects featured heavily. The proposed new series was not picked up, reportedly due to it being considered too costly.

Although there are no plans for the ITV series to return, the Oxford series is still in production with episodes being repeated on SWR Television. The original Oxford series is still used today as a teaching tool for children to learn English as second language. The DVD, book, and audio tapes are still available to buy online, along with a PC-CD ROM. A free app was produced in 2016. A website was set up in 2015, though it is now defunct as of 2018. In 2016, the German SWR Television Educational Programmes set up a website featuring the series to foster use of Wizadora films and educational games in elementary schools in Germany. Free educational games based on the series have been developed since 2016 (apps for Android, iOS, and web-based for desktop computers) and are available on www.wizadora.de.

References
  1. "Wizadora – Nostalgia Central". 23 June 2014.
  2. "Actor Gallery | Joe Greco".
  3. "Sooty, Fun House return for TV birthday". Digital Spy. 19 December 2012.
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