In the week that beloved British actor David Jason married long time partner Gill and received his knighthood from the Queen he also quietly returned to a leafy suburb of Manchester where he helped bring to life the classic characters of DangerMouse and Count Duckula.
New indie Made in Manchester Prods. brought Sir David back to the animation studios of Cosgrove Hall in Chorlton Cum Hardy to record the voicetrack to their first ITV commission CARTOON KINGS a documentary celebrating the life and times of two former art students who went on to revolutionize the animation industry in the U.K.
Company founders and long-term friends Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall joined Sir David for the record allowing the three to reminisce about the early days of what is now Europes largest animation company. For entertainment Sir David brought a few characters back to life.
As one of the original voices in DANGERMOUSE, COUNT DUCKULA, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS and the BFG, Sir David had a vital part to play in their success which included pulling in a record 21 million viewers for the secret agent Mouse back in the 1980s and causing outrage Stateside when the Mayor of NYC attempted to pull the programs slot for a public address.
CARTOON KINGS will be broadcast next spring and takes a nostalgic look back at some of the companys most famous shows.
Made in Manchester Prods. director and five-time World Swimming Champion James Hickman said, Its great that ITV1 has commissioned us to make this special show for Brian and Marks 30th Anniversary year and were delighted that Sir David was able to take time out to present the program.
Cosgrove said, Being back at the studios with Mark and DangerMouse himself has swept away thirty years in a second. Its going to be a great year of celebrations for the Cosgrove Hall and the recording of the documentary is just the right note to start on!
CARTOON KINGS is one of several programs Made in Manchester Prods. has been commissioned to make for ITV1. The company is focusing on both television and radio program making and is currently awaiting decisions on several ideas for Radio 2 and Radio 4.
Cosgrove Hall Films is Europes largest and most prolific animation company and one of only a few in the world with the ability to produce all three types of animation (drawn/2d, stop-motion puppet, CGI) under one roof. For more information, visit www.cosgrovehall.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
