Tweenies | |
---|---|
Created by | Will Brenton Iain Lauchlan |
Developed by | Tell-Tale Productions for BBC Worldwide |
Starring | Sally Preisig Justin Fletcher Bob Golding Colleen Daley Emma Weaver |
Opening theme | "Are You Ready to Play?" |
Ending theme | "Are You Ready to Play?" (instrumental) |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of episodes | 390 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) | Judy Whitfield Clare Elstow |
Producer(s) | Kay Benbow Robin Carr Iain Lauchlan Will Brenton Karl Woolley |
Camera setup | Davy Johnson |
Running time | 18-20 minutes |
Production company(s) | Tell-Tale Productions |
Distributor | BBC |
Release | |
Original network | BBC CBBC CBeebies |
Picture format | 16:9 |
Audio format | Stereo |
Original release | 6 September 1999 | – 24 July 2002
External links | |
Website |
Tweenies is a British live action children's television programme, originally broadcast on the BBC's CBBC programming block. The series first aired on 6 September 1999 and finished on 24 July 2002. When CBeebies was launched on 11 February 2002, it became the new children's programming block for the Tweenies to be shown on. Episodes were repeated daily until 1 April 2016.
The idea for the programme came from Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton, a pair with a track record of being involved in BBC children's programming. Together with Karl Woolley and Helen Cadwallader they set up Tell-Tale Productions at Elstree Film Studios in Hertfordshire. Iain Lauchlan was a presenter on Play School, Fingermouse and Playdays, meeting Brenton, a director, writer and also a presenter, during the latter. Together they started producing two of the Playdays strands before forming their own production companies Tell-Tale Productions and, more recently, Wish Films. They also created The Fun Song Factory, Boo!, BB3B, Jim Jam and Sunny, Basil Hair The Squirrel and Entertainment Right's The Magical Lives of Toys.
Tweenies is a production of Tell-Tale Productions in association with the BBC. Animation for the show was produced by A Productions, an animation studio based in Bristol, England, with Ealing Animation providing some animation in a few early episodes. Computer animation for the series was provided by Clockwork Digital, with Ben Mars animating Mungo, the computer creature who appears in some later episodes.
The characters are well developed and children are able to predict what their responses might be. The mixture of story, song and creative activity provides excellent opportunities for children to learn through play. Music plays an important part in the programme and children are encouraged to join in with songs and actions.