Cast
THE BAND
The Band are a family of musical instruments left to their own devices at the end of a concert. A lot of other instruments have been left here too but only our four - Cyan, the synthesiser, Baz, the Bass guitar, Philomena, the Saxophone and Sammy, the tambourine - are able to converse and make music. Cyan is the 'big sister' of the group who makes sure that no - one is bored or hurt; Baz yearns for his younger days as a famous rock player; Philomena is loud and brash, with a heart of gold; and Sammy is very young, innocent, shy and in need of the others' constant care.
There is Big Pink Hand who seems to be a cross between their agent, roadie and butler; the backing group - 'The Doobie Digits' with their microphone, Mick - and a variety of shoes who will dance all day long if allowed to do so.
Rhyme, rhythm and song are the basis of the series, with movement, mood and dance.
ANDY AND MANDY
The two protagonists of the series, Andy and Mandy, are truly magical characters. They are magically created from four ping - pong balls, found by the hands of a magician in a box of junk and are brought to believable life when worn on those hands. They live in a magical world created from the junk around them and can magically go anywhere in order to check out details for their makes.
Mandy is the slightly bossy older sister while Andy is her younger brother, usually less informed than Mandy but sometimes quite startling in his knowledge and ability. Because they are hands, they are very handy at making things from the junk in their box but like to sneak into the real world to check they have got things right. Being hands, they can have a go at most things - potting, driving a car, or even pushing back an aeroplane from its apron - but often with hilarious results.
The way the real world works - whether in the form of manufacturing, retailing or otherwise - is at the heart of the series and children participate by replicating these activities in their own 'makes'.
JUNKIT!
Junkit is a rag-doll character who doesn't speak but communicates easily by her expressive face, her dancing, her athletic movements and her magic. She is famous for making wacky things from junk, much to the disgust of Barry the wheelie bin who, together with Tone the phone, shares her Junk Store home.
Barry prefers to eat junk and dislikes Junkit wasting it, especially when she zooms it off in her trolley to answer a telephone plea from a child who needs one of her 'makes' to sort out a problem.
The series is a visual and musical feast that delights children of all ages and inspires its viewers to attempt their own creative work and gymnastic feats.
MAGS AND MO
Mags, the magpie and Mo, the mole are two incongruously close friends. They live in a huge oak tree - Mags in the branches and Mo in the roots - set in the garden of a beautiful house and rely on each other for company on all their excursions.
Mags likes to think of herself as a woman of the world and as the innocent Mo's protector and teacher. She, being a magpie, likes to collect and hoard objects while Mo prefers to collect his memories on film.
In order to educate Mo, Mags takes him on journeys to learn about the world around them, finding fun and interesting things to do and see along the way. Nothing is too large or small for their scrutiny: one day they might be researching the niceties of flight and the next, looking at things that are the same and things that are different.
The series promotes awareness of the natural world, science and
social interaction.
MICROMOUSE
Micromouse is a computer mouse but more mouse - like and a lot more loveable. He sleeps on his mat until called upon to take us through each programme and then does so with a great deal of delight and mischief. He selects icons by flapping his ears and communicates in body language and clicks.
By clicking on the child-friendly icons, he can decide where he wants to go and what he wants to do when he gets there. He may elect to play a game, or any of the five other activities available, many of which are dependent on the computer to be realised.
Micromouse guides children into the world of information technology, its function and its protocols - and introduces them to aspects of their own real environment - whether in the town, in the country or at the seaside.
SCRUFF
Scruff is a fluffy young dog, loveable, mischievous and very inquisitive. His endearing character ensures that he makes friends easily wherever he goes and, like all children, he knows how to take advantage of his charm to be excused any minor transgressions, especially by the Narrator with whom he communicates in 'Woofs'.
Scruff sets off on his adventures in a car made from felt pieces and always calls in at a Nursery school, where he and his young friends paint, make things and play games inspired by what Scruff has seen.
The series inspires and informs its viewers by interfacing with the real world in an imaginative and fun way and ensures that the ensuing creative ideas, although educational, are equally enjoyable.