The Fairies (TV series)

The Fairies is an Australian live-action children's television series created by Jenifer Watts and is based on two fairies: Harmony and Rainbow Rhapsody[1] (known in the 2005-2009 TV series as just Rhapsody).[2] They also have friends, including Elf the Fairy Cake Maker, Barnaby the Bizzy Buzzy Bee and Wizzy the Wizard. Each episode of the 2009 TV series would contain songs and dance routines. Originally it was a direct-to-video film series released by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Australia in 1998 (The Fairies and A Fairy Merry Christmas), Carlton Home Entertainment UK in 1999-2001 and ABC Video in 2000–2004, before becoming a TV series in 2005–2009. ABC for Kids released the vintage double DVD The Fairies & The Fairies Farmyard Magic in 2004 and the 2005-2009 series on DVD in 2005-2014 (along with Christmas Ballet: Stage Show released in 2012), with merchandise releasing in Australia and America throughout the program's run and tours.

The Fairies
(Vintage) (1998-2001)
GenreChildren's, live-action
Created byJenifer Watts
Written byJenifer Watts
Directed byDavid Hancock
StarringLindy Allen (2000)
Stuart Boag (1998)
Rhys Bobridge (2000)
Wally Carr
Joni Combe
Adam Goodburn (2001)
PJ Oaten (2001)
Jenifer Watts (1998)
Theme music composerSue Scott
Opening themeThe Fairies performed by Jenifer Watts (1998)
Hello from the Fairies performed by Jenifer Watts & Joni Combe (2000)
Ending themeNow We Have To Go
Composer(s)Sue Scott
Jenifer Watts
Country of originAustralia
Original language(s)English
Production
Executive producer(s)Jenifer Watts (showrunner)
Producer(s)David Hancock
Production location(s)Adelaide, South Australia
Running time60 minutes
Production company(s)South Australian Film Corporation
Release
Original networkPolyGram Filmed Entertainment Australia (1998)
ABC for Kids (2000-2004)
Picture format576i (SDTV)
Audio formatStereo
Original release1998 –
2004
External links
Website

History

The history of the show started in 1998 with Harmony, Rhapsody, Barnaby, Elf and 4 tots. The producers of the series made three direct-to-video releases. The creator of the show, Jenifer Watts, was inspired by her daughter, Abigail's obsession with glitter and fairies. The producers replaced the 1998 portrayers of Harmony and Elf (Watts, herself, and Stuart Boag). These two characters were replaced by Lindy Allen and Rhys Bobridge. The little tots were also reduced to three. These changes were done to boost the popularity of the show as a multi-million dollar 26 part television series that was in production. In November 2005, The Fairies came to television for the first time, airing on the Seven Network in Australia, going into a 9am time slot. The Fairies was made more realistic and magical, making it more like a fantasy drama for children. New Zealand-based WETA Workshop (the outfit behind the special effects used in King Kong and The Lord of the Rings) designed the sets. Also, the actors were replaced, except for Elf. Harmony, who was the Golden Fairy, and Rhapsody, the Rainbow, were also changed into more 'girly' colours, pink and purple. Elf and Barnaby's costumes' were also changed. Elf looked more 'Elfy' and Barnaby lost two of his legs. The tots costumes and actors were also revamped, making them more cheeky, and dressing them to look more sophisticated. Wizzy, the Wizard, also debuted in the first TV series (along with his actual debut on the album A Magical Fairy Party, which was released in 2001). The first TV series of the show The Fairies repeated in April 2006 on the Seven Network, going back into the 9am time slot. In 2007, The Fairies' second TV series was produced, and aired on the Seven Network from 23 April. The series added two new characters, Bubbles the Beach Fairy and Twinkle the Tooth Fairy. Sales of the DVDs in Australia have topped 100,000 units.

The Fairies
(TV Series) (2005-2012)
GenreChildren's television, live-action
Created byJenifer Watts
Written byJenifer Watts
Directed byMark Evans (2005-2007)
Tait Muller (2009)
StarringPeppa Blackburn (2009)
Rhys Bobridge (2005-2007)
Ruth Natalie Fallon
Adam Goodburn
Candice Moll
PJ Oaten
Theme music composerSue Scott
Opening themeThe Fairies Theme Song performed by Candice Moll & Ruth Natalie Fallon
Ending themeNow We Have To Go
Composer(s)Sue Scott (additional)
Jenifer Watts
Country of originAustralia
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons3
Production
Executive producer(s)Jenifer Watts (showrunner)
Producer(s)David Hancock
Production location(s)Adelaide, South Australia
Running time30 minutes
Production company(s)South Australian Film Corporation
Release
Original networkABC for Kids (CD & DVD releases only)
Seven Network (Australia)
Nickelodeon (New Zealand)
Nick Jr. (UK)
Picture format576i (SDTV)
Audio formatStereo
Original releaseNovember 2005 –
2009
External links
Website

Characters

Main characters
  • Harmony: Jenifer Watts (1998), Lindy Allen (2000) (as the Golden Fairy), and then Candice Moll (2005-2009 as the Purple Fairy)
  • Rhapsody: Joni Combe (daughter of Australian children's singer-songwriter Peter Combe) (1998-2001 as Rainbow Rhapsody), and then Ruth Natalie Fallon (2005-2009 as just Rhapsody the Pink Fairy)
  • Barnaby the Bizzy Buzzy Bee: Wally Carr (1998-2000), and then PJ Oaten (2001-2012)
  • Elf the Fairy Cake Maker: Stuart Boag (1998), and then Rhys Bobridge (2000-2007)
  • Wizzy the Wizard: Adam Goodburn (2001-2009)
  • Fairy Princess Minuet the Dancing Fairy: Peppa Blackburn (2009-2012)

Recurring characters
  • Tilly the Tooth Fairy: Selina Vistoli (1998)
  • Santa Claus: John Skidmore (1998)
  • Phoebe the Farmyard Fairy: Susan Kirk (2000)
  • Hattie and Sam's parents: Sue McCoy and Duncan Young (2000)
  • Bubbles the Beach Fairy: Alice Darling (2007)
  • Twinkle the Tooth Fairy: Melody Lian (2007)
  • Cordeline the Clever Pixie: Monique Anderson (2009)
  • Rainbow the Birthday Fairy: Zoe Komazec (2009)
  • Jethro the Jitterboy: Tom Greenfield (2009)

Child characters
  • Fairy & Elf Tots: April Hancock, Lewis Rankin, Cameron Sherman, Harlan Spaven, Samantha Stokes and Abigail 'Abbie' Watts (1998-2000)
  • Molly the Gumtree Tot: Alana Grimaldi (2000)
  • Hugo the Gumtree Tot: Michael Hayes (2000)
  • Melody the Fairyland Tot: Stephanie Antonopoulos (2005)
  • Jingles the Fairyland Tot: Erin Dunn (2005)
  • Treble the Fairyland Tot: Sam Trenwith (2005)
  • Lilly-Belle the Baby Fairyland Tot: Georgia Riley (2005)
  • Buttercup the Fairyland Tot: Tayla Dantu-Hann (2007)
  • Acorn the Fairyland Tot: Matthew Wilson (2007)
  • Arabella the Top of the Garden Child: Benita Grimaldi (1998-2000), and then Sasha Champion (2005)
  • William the Top of the Garden Child: James Mercuri (1998-2000), and then Harrison Dearing (2005)
  • Emily the Top of the Garden Child: Joanna Reppucci (1998-2000)
  • Hattie the Farm Child/Twin: Emily Rocco (2000)
  • Sam the Farm Child/Twin: Benjamin Schapel (2000)
  • Baby Harmony: Lucinda 'Lucy' Watts (2005)
  • Baby Rhapsody: Jemma Highet (2005)
  • Emma the Top of the Garden Child: Abigail 'Abbie' Watts (2005-2007)
  • Jack the Top of the Garden Child: Harrison 'Harry' Watts (2007)
  • Lily the Top of the Garden Child: Elisabeth Wellings (2007)
  • Fairy Dancing Girls: Momo Hoshino and Lucinda 'Lucy' Watts (2009)

Home video releases
  • The Fairies (1998)
  • A Fairy Merry Christmas (1998)
  • Farmyard Magic (2000)

DVDs

Movies
  • The Fairies & The Fairies Farmyard Magic (2004)
  • Fairy Magic (2005)
  • Fairy Dancing (2005)
  • Fairy Beach (2007)
  • Fairy Fun, Fun, Fun (2007)
  • Fairy Dancing Girl (2007)
  • Nursery Rhymes (2009)
  • Christmas Carols in Fairyland (2009)
  • Christmas Ballet: Stage Show (2012)

Episode Compilations
  • The Fairy Ring (2005)
  • The Fairyland Band (2005)
  • Fairyland Songs: Volume 1 (2005)
  • The Top of the Garden: 5 episodes from Series 2 (2007)
  • Barnaby Takes The Lead: 5 episodes from the TV Series (2007)
  • Wizzy's Wonky Magic (2007)
  • Fairyland Songs: Volume 2 (2007)
  • Fun To Learn: With Harmony, Rhapsody and their Fairyland friends! (2009)
  • Fairytales (2009)
  • Learn to Dance: With Fairy Princess Minuet and The Fairies (2009)
  • Sing and Dance: Hit Songs from 2009 (2009)
  • The Best of The Fairies: Volume 1 (2010)

Discography
  • The Fairies (2000)
  • A Fairy Merry Christmas (2000)
  • Farmyard Magic (2000)
  • A Magical Fairy Party (2001)
  • Fairy Magic (2006)
  • Fairy Dancing (2006)
  • Fairy Beach (2007)
  • Fairy Fun, Fun, Fun (2007)
  • Best Party Songs (2007)
  • Nursery Rhymes (2009)
  • Princess Perfect (2009)
  • Lullabies (2009)
  • Christmas Carols in Fairyland (2009)
  • Favourites (2010/2013)
  • Christmas Ballet: Stage Show (2012)

iTunes releases

Albums
  • Fairy Magic (2016)
  • Fairy Dancing (2016)
  • Lullabies (2016)
  • Fairy Fun, Fun, Fun! (2016)
  • Fairy Beach (2016)
  • Fairy Besties (2016)
  • Princess Perfect (2016)
  • Party Songs (2016)
  • Nursery Rhymes (2016)
  • Fairy Merry Christmas (2016)
  • Vintage Fairies (2017)
  • Vintage Farmyard (2017)

Movies
  • Fairy Hello! (1998)
  • Fairy Merry Christmas (1998)
  • Fairy Magic (2005)
  • Fairy Dancing (2005)
  • Fairy Beach (2007)
  • Nursery Rhymes (2009)
  • Christmas Carols (2009)

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards
Year Nominated works Award Result Lost to Ref
2006 Fairy Magic Best Children's Album Nominated The Wiggles - Racing to the Rainbow
[3]
2007 Fairy Beach Nominated The Wiggles - Pop Go the Wiggles!
2008 Fairy Fun, Fun, Fun Nominated The Wiggles - You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
2009 Princess Perfect Nominated The Wiggles - Go Bananas!

Helpmann Awards
Year Nominated works Award Result Lost to Ref
2007 The Fairies Live on Stage Best Presentation for Children Nominated Jackie French's Hitler's Daughter
[4]

See also

References
  1. "Meet The Fairies and their Friends (1998-2004)". Archived from the original on 9 March 2000.
  2. "Meet The Fairies (2005-present)".
  3. "Best Children's Album", ARIA
  4. "Past nominees and winners". Helpmann Awards. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.