British animation studio Cosgrove Hall is working with Shelltown Productions in Ireland on the animated series, SHELLTOWN, which follows the tales of three mischievous young eggs Splat, Cracker and Exactly who reside in a town where all the buildings and cars are egg shaped.
Irish singing superstar, Ronan Keating is the voice of the main character, Splat. Keating Ronan comments, As a family man with kids, when I saw SHELLTOWN, I thought it was fantastic and I really wanted to be involved with the project and the company. So has invested in the Irish company and is also composing the shows music.
Kerry McFadden (QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE) will voice the lead female character, Cracker. Names also linked to the project include Oscar-Winning Actor Julian Fellowes (GOSFORD PARK), Kenneth Brannagh (HENRY V/HARRY POTTER) and comedian Johnny Vegas.
Patricia Parsons-Sparkes and her husband Bernard Sparkes, from Ballymoney, created the series, based on the bedtime tales they dreamt up for their 13 children. Sparkes said, Its great to finally see the stories coming to life not satisfied with them just being bedtime stories the children were always asking when theyd be able to see Splat on TV and now they will! The couple brought the concept to Manchester-based Cosgrove Hall worked with them to develop the characters and is producing the two-minute pilot episode. The 26x11 CGI series is expected to go into full production in early fall 2004.
SHELLTOWN is yet another great project to work on, said Ben Turner, creative director, Cosgrove Hall Digital. The program is getting massive support from all corners, which is proof that we have a strong, fun and visually fantastic program. Ronans involvement has just strengthened what is sure to be an international hit.
Irish Channel RTÉ said it plans to acquire the series and there is interest from an American broadcaster, Cosgrove reports. The SHELLTOWN team is seeking a U.K.-based broadcaster and distributor.
Cosgrove Hall has produced generations of childrens favorites in the U.K., from DANGERMOUSE, CHORLTON AND THE WHEELIES and the beautiful adaptation of THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, right up to the more recent remakes of ANDY PANDY, BILL & BEN and the funky new ENGIE BENJY and LITTLE ROBOTS as well as THE WUMBLERS. The studio was acquired by ITEL, which ultimately became part of Granada, where the partners first met up and decided to launch their own company. Further information on Cosgrove Hall and its other productions can be found at www.chf.co.uk.
