- The Riddlers
"The Riddlers" was a British children's programme produced by
Yorkshire Television forITV between 1989 and 1998.ynopsis
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.
eries cast
*Marjorie Dawe: Victoria Williams
*Mr. Grimley: Peter Llewellyn Jones
*Mossop/Middler: Richard Robinson
*Tiddler: Mike GallantProduction 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 as was Garry Rutter for the shows last three years.Many of the programmes were recorded at Yorkshire Television's studios in Kirstall Road, Leeds although some later episodes were filmed on location.
Three VHS releases were issued by
Video Collection International and several tie-in books were published.External links
* [http://www.thechestnut.com/riddlers.htm The Riddlers at Little Gems]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346384/fullcredits IMDB entry]
* [http://www.rickvanes.co.uk/preschool.htm Rick Vanes official site - pre-school television]
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