The Fairies (TV series)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's entertainment, Television production, Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Jenifer 'Jen' Watts |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Television series, Direct-to-video films, Music albums, Live tours, Merchandise |
The Fairies is an Australian live-action children's television series designed for preschool audiences, created by Jenifer 'Jen' Watts. The narrative revolves around two central fairies: Harmony and Rainbow Rhapsody (referred to simply as Rhapsody in the television adaptation). Their circle of companions includes Elf the Fairy Cake Maker, Barnaby the Bizzy Buzzy Bee, and Wizzy the Wizard. The third installment of the TV series incorporated musical numbers and choreographed dance segments in every episode.
Initially launched as a direct-to-video film collection by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Australia in 1998 (with titles The Fairies and A Fairy Merry Christmas) and later by ABC Video in 2000, the franchise evolved into a television series in 2005. From 2005 until 2009, ABC for Kids managed DVD distribution while related merchandise was marketed in both Australia and the United States, supported by live tours.
History
The franchise originated in 1996 with characters Harmony, Rhapsody, Barnaby, Elf, and four tots. Three direct-to-video productions were released: two in 1998 (The Fairies/Fairy Hello! and A Fairy Merry Christmas) followed by one in 2000 titled Farmyard Magic. Jenifer Karen 'Jen' Watts conceived the concept inspired by her daughter Abbie’s enchantment with glitter and fairy tales. In 1998, Lindy Allen and Rhys Bobridge replaced the original actors for Harmony and Elf respectively, while the number of tots was decreased to three to boost appeal prior to developing a multi-million dollar television series comprising 26 episodes.
The Fairies made its television debut on Australia's Seven Network in November 2005 at 9am. This adaptation embraced a more grounded yet magical fantasy drama approach. The sets were crafted by New Zealand’s WETA Workshop, renowned for their work on King Kong and The Lord of the Rings. Except for Elf, most cast members were recast. Harmony (the Golden Fairy) and Rhapsody (initially Rainbow Rhapsody) underwent rebranding with pink and purple color schemes targeting a female demographic. Costume designs for Elf and Barnaby were refreshed—Elf’s appearance became more distinctly "Elfy," while Barnaby was redesigned with fewer legs. The tots were reimagined to appear more mischievous and refined. Wizzy the Wizard made his first television appearance during this series, having debuted earlier on the 2001 album A Magical Fairy Party. This series was rebroadcast in April 2006 on Seven Network.
The second television series premiered on Seven Network starting 23 April 2007, introducing new characters such as Bubbles the Beach Fairy and Twinkle the Tooth Fairy. DVD sales within Australia exceeded 100,000 copies.
In 2009, the third series aired, expanding the character roster with Jethro the Jitterboy, Cordeline the Clever Pixie, Rainbow the Birthday Fairy, and Fairy Princess Minuet the Dancing Fairy.
Main characters
- Harmony: Initially portrayed by Jenifer 'Jen' Watts (early videos) and Lindy Allen (in Farmyard Magic) as the Golden Fairy; later represented by Candice Moll (TV series) and Tiffany Welden-Iley (stage performances) as the Purple Fairy
- Rhapsody: Played by Joni Combe (early videos), then Ruth Natalie Fallon (TV series), and Lulu Freedman (stage shows); originally named Rainbow Rhapsody before adopting simply Rhapsody the Pink Fairy
- Barnaby the Bizzy Buzzy Bee: Portrayed by Wally Carr (early videos), followed by PJ Oaten (album, TV series, stage shows)
- Elf the Fairy Cake Maker: Played by Stuart Boag (early videos), succeeded by Rhys Bobridge (in Farmyard Magic and TV series), then Paul Maybury (stage productions)
- Wizzy the Wizard: Acted by Adam Goodburn (album, TV series), later Kent Green (stage performances)
- Fairy Princess Minuet the Dancing Fairy: Portrayed by Peppa Blackburn (2009 TV series and stage shows)
Additional Adult Characters
- Tilly, known as the Tooth Fairy: portrayed by Selina Vistoli (featured in The Fairies/Fairy Hello!)
- Santa Claus: performed by John Skidmore (A Fairy Merry Christmas), John Greene (Christmas Carols in Fairyland), and Kent Green (Christmas Ballet: Stage Show)
- Phoebe, the Farmyard Fairy: Susan Kirk (from Farmyard Magic)
- Hattie and Sams parents: Sue McCoy and Duncan Young (appearing in Farmyard Magic)
- Gardener role: Wally Carr (2005)
- Bubbles, the Beach Fairy: Alice Darling (2007)
- Twinkle, another Tooth Fairy: Melody Lian (2007)
- Cordeline, the Clever Pixie: Monique Anderson (2009)
- Rainbow, the Birthday Fairy: Zoe Komazec (2009)
- Jethro, known as the Jitterboy: Tom Greenfield (2009)
Child Characters
- Fairy & Elf Tots: April Hancock, Lewis Rankin, Cameron Sherman, Harlan Spaven, Samantha Stokes, Abigail 'Abbie' Watts (featured in The Fairies/Fairy Hello!, A Fairy Merry Christmas, and Farmyard Magic)
- Molly and Hugo, referred to as the Gumtree Tots: Alana Grimaldi and Michael Hayes (from Farmyard Magic)
- Melody, Jingles, and Treble, the Fairyland Tots: Stephanie Antonopoulos, Erin Dunn, Sam Trenwith (2005)
- Lilly-Belle, a Baby Fairyland Tot: Georgia Riley (in Fairy Magic)
- Buttercup and Acorn: Tayla Dantu-Hann and Matthew Wilson (Fairyland Tots, 2007)
- Arabella, William, and Emily from the Top of the Garden Children: Benita Grimaldi/Sasha Champion, James Mercuri/Harrison Dearing, Joanna Reppucci
- The twins, Hattie and Sam as Farm Child/Twins: Emily Rocco and Benjamin Schapel (in Farmyard Magic)
- Babies named Harmony and Rhapsody: Lucinda 'Lucy' Watts and Jemma Highet (2005)
- Additional children from Top of the Garden include Abigail 'Abbie' Watts (Emma, 2005/2007), Harrison 'Harry' Watts (Jack, 2007), Elisabeth Wellings (Lily, 2007)
- Flower Fairy Tot portrayed by Claudia Fallon (2007)
- Leading a group of 15 in the third series from 2008 are the Fairy Dancing Girls: Momo Hoshino and Lucinda 'Lucy' Watts
Home Video Releases
- The Fairies (originally 1998; reissued by ABC for Kids in 2000)
- A Fairy Merry Christmas (1998)
- Farmyard Magic (2000; also released as part of a double DVD with The Fairies in 2004)
- Fairy Magic (2005)
- Fairy Dancing (2005)
- Fairy Beach (2007)
- Fairy Fun, Fun, Fun (2007)
- Fairy Dancing Girl (2008)
- Nursery Rhymes (2009)
- Christmas Carols in Fairyland (2009)
- Christmas Ballet: Stage Show (2011)
Episode Collections
- The Fairy Ring (2005)
- The Fairyland Band (2005)
- Fairyland Songs: Volume 1 (2005)
- The Top of the Garden: Five episodes from Series 2 (2007)
- Barnaby Takes The Lead: Five episodes from the TV Series (2007)
- Wizzy's Wonky Magic (2007)
- Fairyland Songs: Volume 2 (2007)
- Fun To Learn: Featuring Harmony, Rhapsody, and their Fairyland companions! (2009)
- Fairytales (2009)
- Learn to Dance: With Fairy Princess Minuet and The Fairies (2009)
- Sing and Dance: Popular Songs from 2009 (2009)
- The Best of The Fairies: Volume 1 (2010)
Discography
- The Fairies (1998)
- A Fairy Merry Christmas (1998)
- Farmyard Magic (2000)
- A Magical Fairy Party (2001)
- Fairy Magic (2005)
- Fairy Dancing (2005)
- 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)
- Christmas Ballet: Stage Show (2011)
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)
- Dancing Girl (2008)
- Nursery Rhymes (2009)
- Christmas Carols (2009)
ARIA Music Awards
| Year | Work nominated | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Fairy Magic | Best Children's Album | Nominated |
| 2007 | Fairy Beach | Best Children's Album | Nominated |
| 2008 | Fairy Fun, Fun, Fun | Best Children's Album | Nominated |
| 2009 | Princess Perfect | Best Children's Album | Nominated |
Helpmann Awards
| Year | Work nominated | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Fairies Live on Stage | Best Presentation for Children | Nominated |
See also
References
Notes
Citations
External links
- Articles with short description
- Seven Network original programming
- Australian children's television series
- 2005 Australian television series debuts
- 2009 Australian television series endings
- Australian preschool education television series
- 2000s preschool education television series
- Television shows set in Adelaide
- Australian English-language television shows
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming
- Direct-to-video film series
- Films shot in Adelaide
- Musical television series
- PolyGram Filmed Entertainment films
- Australian children's fantasy television series
- Children's film series
- Fantasy film series
- Australian film series
- Fantasy television films
- Television films as pilots
- Direct-to-video fantasy films
- Australian fantasy films
- Nickelodeon (Australia and New Zealand) original programming
- Television duos
- Television shows about fairies
- Films about fairies
- 1990s Australian television series
- Australian children's musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1996
- 1996 establishments in Australia
- Australian companies established in 1996