The Magic Circle Club
| The Magic Circle Club | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Children's television |
| Created by | Godfrey Philipp |
| Written by |
John Howson Max Bartlett |
| Directed by | Godfrey Philipp Rob Weekes |
| Presented by |
Nancy Cato Liz Harris |
| Starring | Max Bartlett Ernie Bourne Nancy Cato Gael Dixon Tedd Dunn Nola Finn Liz Harris Gabrielle Hartley John Howson Colin McEwan Fred Tupper Marion Weir |
| Theme music composer | Bruce Rowland |
| Opening theme | Hip, Hooray and Hello |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 555 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Godfrey Philipp |
| Producer(s) | Rob Weekes |
| Location(s) | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | ATV-0 for 0-10 Network |
| Picture format | 2" monochrome VT, kinescoped |
| Audio format | Monaural |
| Original release | 23 January 1965 – July 1967 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | The Children's Show |
| Followed by | Adventure Island |
The Magic Circle Club was an award-winning Australian children's television show, produced at ATV Channel 0 (now ATV-10) from 23 January 1965 to 1967.
The program's style came from live pantomime and classic fairy tales. It often featured music, original songs and dance routines. Some older female characters were performed by males, in pantomime dame style.
Godfrey Philipp was the producer and director, with many scripts and song lyrics by John-Michael Howson. Max Bartlett became a regular script writer in addition to his on-screen roles. Music was by Bruce Rowland and scenery designs by Brian Thomson.
The show was hosted by Nancy Cato, cousin of the author of the same name. A later addition to the regular cast was Liz Harris, who also took over as hostess when Nancy Cato suffered temporary paralysis and had to use a wheelchair.
In 1966, the TV series won the first Logie Award presented to a children's show, for Outstanding Contribution To Children's Television.
Regular characters were denizens of the Magic Forest: mute Fredd Bear (Tedd Dunn, also the costume designer); shrill Fee Fee Bear (John-Michael Howson, billed as John Howson); feisty Mother Matilda Hubbard (Fred Tupper, a former radio star); sensible Max (Max Bartlett); Shirley Temple analog Curley Dimples (played by adult Gael Dixon, also the show's choreographer); beautiful enchantress Crystal Ball (Gabrielle Hartley) and her pet, Hep Cat (Nola Finn); Marlena DeWitch (Marion Weir); and villainous Sir Jasper Crookly (Ernie Bourne) and his henchman Gaspar Goblin (Colin McEwan).
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