The Riddlers
The Riddlers was a British children's programme produced by Yorkshire Television for ITV between 1986 and 1998.
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[edit] Synopsis
The series centred around Marjorie Dawe and the two Riddlers (small humanoid creatures, portrayed by puppets, whose main aim in life was to "riddle things out") named Mossop and Tiddler (female, but voiced by Mike Gallant), who inhabited her garden at Riddleton End. Tiddler was not the latter's real name, but a title given to young apprentice Riddlers: once they achieved full Riddler status there would be a special (graduation type)ceremony, at which they would be given their 'real' name. Tiddler's training included being told stories by a Riddlestone, usually one of 'Ees-Up's Foibles'- she would then have to 'riddle out' the moral of the story.
Other characters featured in the show included Marjorie's neighbour, Mr. Montgomery Grimley (a gardener), and another tiddler, known as Middler. Many of the plots featured in the series revolved around the male characters making mistakes which would then be solved by the female ones.
[edit] Series cast
- Marjorie Dawe: Victoria Williams
- Mr. Grimley: Peter Llewellyn Jones
- Mossop/Middler: Richard Robinson
- Tiddler/Glossop: Mike Gallant
[edit] Production notes
226 episodes were produced and broadcast during the series' nine-year run. For much of its run, The Riddlers was produced by Ian Fell and directed by Chris Ryder (later a series producer). Later series were directed by Ann Ayoub. The executive producer was Chris Jelley.
All episodes were written by Rick Vanes (whose previous work for YTV included Puddle Lane and Mooncat). Ees-Up's Foibles stories were written by Shirley Isherwood. Neil Innes provided the music and songs featured. Puppeteer for Middler and Mossop, Richard Robinson, created the puppets and provided illustrations for the Ees-Up's Foibles stories. David Baker was assistant puppeteer series 1 through 6 and Garry Rutter for the show's last three years.
Many of the programmes were recorded in Yorkshire Television's studios on Kirstall Road, Leeds. Although some later episodes were filmed on location.
Three VHS releases were issued by Video Collection International 1989 And Central Video and several tie-in books were published - And Other Stories And a Bumper Special.
[edit] Transmission guide
- Series 1: [1986]
- Series 2: [1987]
- Series 3: [1988]
- Series 4: [1989]
- Series 5: [1990]
- Series 6: [1991]
- Series 7: [1992]
- Series 8: [1993]
- Series 9: [1994]
- Series 10: [1995]
- Series 11: [1996]
- Series 12: [1997]
- Series 13: [1998]
[edit] External links
- The Riddlers at Little Gems
- The Riddlers at the Internet Movie Database
- Rick Vanes official site - pre-school television
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