The Ink Thief
The Ink Thief is a 1994 British children's TV show, shown on the ITV channel during their CITV segment. It starred Richard O'Brien and Toyah Willcox. The series was produced by for Tyne Tees Television.
Plot summary[]
The titular antagonist known only as the Ink Thief (O'Brien) steals the power of imagination by sucking the "ink" out of books and drawings. At the start of the show, brother and sister Jim and Sam stumble upon his gothic world filled with Oobs, Bumps, and other imaginary creatures. During the course of the show, the children's friendship is tested as Jim gets seduced by the Ink Thief, whereas Sam fights to stop him. Each episode is peppered with plot-specific songs, giving the show a musical feel.
Production[]
Illustrator developed the first concept art for the show. Production Designer says on his website: "It should be remembered that it was Steve’s brilliant concepts that got everybody fired up in the first place."[1] The show was written by , who also authored a book based on the series.
Director Tony White described it as "very much a low-budget, no-time effort but it was successful on British Television, making No. 5 in the ratings"[2] Some of the production crew, including White and Schofield, also acted in the show in small parts. The writer Paul Springer appeared in a larger role, as the character "Toddy", the Ink Thief's bumbling cat henchman. The series' various songs were composed by Adrian Lee. The show only lasted for one season, consisting of seven half-hour-long episodes.
Cast[]
Main cast:
- Mary-Louise Clark - Shake Rattle/Storm
- Richard O'Brien - The Ink Thief
- Gary Martin - Lorni Snoop
- Tamir Randall - Roll
- Richard Ridings - Aloysius
- Joyce Springer - Miz Tiggle
- Paul Springer - Toddy/Descartes
- Owain Thomas - Creaker
- Felicity Todd - Sam
- Stefan Weclawek - Jim
- Toyah Willcox - Dog
- Kristen Wilkin - Thumper
Appearing in five episodes or less:
- Andy Andrews - Hot Air
- James Barton - Sir Bumpalot/Mr Waverley
- Tessa Crockett - Moonshooter 1/Messa Sloppit
- Trevor Michael Georges - Rock
- Catherine Jansen - Cheesey/Mrs. Waverley
- Zoe Loyell Othen - Goosebump
- Sally Owen - Loose Page/Big Balloonie
- Dave Price - Previous Ink Thief
- Talia Benni Randall - Moonshooter 2
- Julia Righton - The Bumpess
- Murti Schofield - Air Academy Bump/Shark
- Tony White - Leonardo da Vinci
References[]
External links[]
 | This article relating to a television programme from the UK is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
- 1994 British television series debuts
- 1994 British television series endings
- 1990s British children's television series
- ITV children's television shows
- Films shot at Elstree Studios
- 1990s British television miniseries
- Television series by ITV Studios
- Television shows produced by Tyne Tees Television
- English-language television shows
- United Kingdom television show stubs