The Singing Kettle
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Children's music, Folk music |
| Founded | 1982 in Kingskettle, Fife, Scotland |
| Founder | Cilla Fisher, Artie Trezise |
| Headquarters | Kingskettle , Scotland, United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Cilla Fisher (Founder), Artie Trezise (Founder), Gary Coupland (Musician) |
| Products | Children's music albums, DVDs, live theatre shows, TV series |
The Singing Kettle—also referred to as Artie's Singing Kettle—is a Scottish ensemble focused on folk music and children's entertainment, emphasizing traditional songs and live theatrical performances. Founded in Kingskettle, Fife, by folk artists Cilla Fisher and Artie Trezise, the group later included musician Gary Coupland. Following Fisher and Trezise’s retirement from the stage in 2012, Trezise continued performing solo under the banner "Artie's Singing Kettle."
The ensemble was honored with a BAFTA Scotland award for best children’s television programme, and Fisher, Trezise, along with Coupland, each received an MBE in recognition of their services to entertainment.
Career
Cilla Fisher and Artie Trezise began their collaboration as a folk duo during the mid-1970s. The name "The Singing Kettle" was first introduced in 1982 alongside a children’s album featuring traditional Scottish rhymes and tunes collected during their folk tours across the United States. Their daughter Jane and other young singers provided backing vocals, forming the initial group known as the "Kettle Kids."
This recording was adapted into a touring children’s theatre production centered around song clues hidden inside kettles. They enlisted musician Gary Coupland to join the act. Over time, the performance evolved into narrative-driven musical theatre, staging original shows such as The Boogie Woogie Zoo, The Time Machine, Pirates, Wild West Show, Medieval Madness, World Tour, Funny Farm, and Homemade Band in large venues nationwide. Some productions tackled social themes like road safety (Busy Road Show), dental care (Tooth Happy Songs), and environmental concerns (Adventures in Kettleland).
Jane Fisher briefly participated before departing to join the electronic band Motormark; her role was then assumed by former stage manager Kevin McLeod. In 2003, Smithsonian Folkways released The Singing Kettle: Singalong Songs from Scotland, broadening their global audience.
Cilla Fisher also lent her voice to the theme song of the children’s animated series Meeow! (2000–2002). The group released numerous albums and DVDs, produced five TV series for BBC Scotland and two for ITV. Their touring spanned extensively across the UK, including special performances for Prince Charles and Jordan’s royal family. The company maintained offices and a retail outlet in Kingskettle.
After announcing auditions for a new member in 2012, Fisher and Trezise stepped back from performing but remained involved in songwriting and production. Coupland and McLeod were joined by Anya Scott-Rodgers.
In September 2014, The Singing Kettle declared their farewell tour featuring the 'Big Christmas Party' show. The group officially disbanded in February 2015 after 32 years of activity, concluding with a final performance in Aberdeen on 15 February 2015. Subsequently, McLeod, Coupland, and Scott-Rodgers continued performing under the name Funbox until 2022.
Artie Trezise resumed touring in 2018 with 'Artie's Tartan Tales,' accompanied by Ryan Moir for festival appearances. In 2019 he brought back 'Artie's Singing Kettle Show' along with themed tours such as Halloween and Christmas editions. During 2020, he launched a YouTube channel featuring recordings made amid pandemic restrictions.
Cilla Fisher
(Songwriter/Producer/Director)
Cilla Fisher MBE (born 26 September 1952) made her first broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland at age nine and began collaborating with Trezise in 1974 portraying the character Maw. She occasionally performs solo gigs at pubs and clubs.
Her brothers Archie and Ray also pursued prominent careers in folk music; Ray passed away in 2011 and Archie in 2025. Fisher retired from performing following the 'Fairytale Castle' tour in February 2013.
Artie Trezise
(Producer and Managing Director)
Artie Trezise MBE (born 3 April 1947) transitioned from a teaching career to performing as a folk singer and began collaborating with Fisher in 1974, portraying the characters Willie and Jeremy. He also provides presentations about The Singing Kettle's work to groups such as American tourists and Danish educators.
Gary Coupland
Musician Gary Coupland became part of "Cilla & Artie" for a Scotland-wide tour that served as the launch for The Singing Kettle. He was honored with an MBE in 1999.
Jane Fisher
Jane Fisher (born circa 1973), daughter of Cilla and Artie, initially contributed background vocals on early albums before stepping into a lead performer role in 1995. She departed after the 2002 "Winter Wonderland Tour" to pursue projects with Motormark and later FANGS.
Kevin Macleod
Kevin Macleod (born 9 March 1969) began as stage manager before joining the ensemble during the 2001 'Winter Wonderland' tour, which uniquely featured five members. He stayed with the group until 2015, portraying characters such as Bonzo, Henry, and Jock.
Anya Scott-Rodgers
Anya Scott-Rodgers (born 7 October 1987) joined The Singing Kettle after Fisher and Trezise retired from performing. Selected from hundreds of international candidates, she became the new prominent face of the group.
Willie, Henry and Maw
The characters Willie and Maw (portrayed by Trezise and Fisher) appeared in brief "cutaway" segments on stage and television during the late 1980s. They were central figures in The Singing Kettle's tours until 2002, when Willie's "long lost brother," Henry (played by MacLeod), was introduced and Maw was phased out. Willie and Henry made their final appearances during the 2009/10 "Christmas Pyjama Party Tour."
Bonzo
The character Bonzo the Dog (performed by MacLeod) first appeared in "The Homemade Band Show" as an irate neighbor. Due to popular demand, Bonzo became a staple in all subsequent productions and evolved into a top-selling toy merchandise item. In 2005, a DVD featuring Bonzo's tour highlights and special recordings was released.
Bonzo continued to be featured in performances by Coupland, MacLeod, and Anya within the Funbox theatre company.
Jock and Jeremy
The duo Jock and Jeremy (also portrayed by Trezise and MacLeod) replaced Willie and Henry starting with the "Boogie Woogie Zoo" tour, playing two chef characters. After Trezise’s retirement, MacLeod carried on as Jock until the group's final tour in 2015.
TV series
Following a performance in Dunfermline in 1988, BBC Scotland commissioned a television series featuring the group. Initially skeptical about its appeal beyond Scotland, BBC Head of Children’s Programmes Anna Home described it as "too couthie and very Scottish."
Between 1989 and 1993, BBC produced five series of The Singing Kettle starring original members Fisher, Trezise, and Coupland. These episodes were later rebroadcast on BBC Schools from 1994 through 1996.
In 1995, the group appeared in The Singing Kettle News on ITV’s Scottish Television, followed by The Singing Kettle Show in 2000; both programs included Jane alongside the founding trio. Since 2016, reruns have been broadcast on STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh within the 'Wean's World' children’s segment.
"Metal spout, handle, lid..."
The rhyme "Spout, handle, lid of metal, What's inside the Singing Kettle?" was composed by Fisher just prior to the BBC's visit to the group in Dunfermline in 1988, designed as their distinctive chant. It appeared in the majority of their song repertoire.
A notable deviation occurred during the 1991 Christmas Cracker Show produced for the BBC, where clues to songs were presented on oversized crackers featuring kettle-shaped cards with riddles. Fisher and Trezise delivered a modified version over the original melody: "Well, there's only one way for us to find out, so as loud as you can... [cue prompt]... crack the cracker!" The initial rhyme was restored during backstage segments while retrieving gifts.
During the mid-1990s 'Singing Kettle News' broadcasts for Scottish Television, episodes ended with this rhyme to collect newspapers placed inside a kettle after publication.
Discography
A selection from a total of 39 CDs, including three greatest hits compilations:
- 1979 - Cilla and Artie Topic
- 1982 - The Singing Kettle
- 1985 - The Singing Kettle 2
- 1987 - The Singing Kettle 3
- 1989 - The Singing Kettle 4
Videos
- 1990 - The Singing Kettle (BBC Video)
- 1991 - The Singing Kettle 2 (BBC Video)
- 1992 - The Singing Kettle 3 (BBC Video)
- 1992 - The Singing Kettle Christmas Crackers (BBC Video)
- 1993 - Adventures in Kettle Land (BBC Video)
- 1994 - Very Best of the Singing Kettle (BBC Video)
- 1994 - World Tour (PolyGram Video)
- 1995 - Pirates (PolyGram Video)
- 1996 - Christmas Party (PolyGram Video)
- 1997 - The Singing Kettle News: Daly News
- 1997 - The Busy Roadshow
- The Singing Kettle News: Sing All About It
- The Best of the Singing Kettle News
- 1998 - Best Loved Singalong Songs
- Get up and Go
- Tooth Happy Songs
- 2001 - Silly Circus
- 2002 - Homemade Band Show
- 2003 - Toytown
- Merry Christmas Show
- Jungle Party
- 2003 - Medieval Madness
- 2004 - Deep Sea Adventures
In celebration of Topic Records' 70th anniversary in 2009, Fisher's Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk from Cilla and Artie was featured as track six on CD four within the boxed set Three Score and Ten.
DVDs
- Christmas Party
- Silly Circus
- Homemade Band
- Jungle Party
- Toytown
- Blast Off
- Wild West Show
- Deep Sea Adventures
- Pirate Island
- Old Mcdonald's Farm
- Medieval Madness
- Funny Farm Show
- Calamity Castle
- Rumble in the Jungle
- Fantastic Funfair
- Two-DVD Collection: Silly Circus/Homemade Band
- Two-DVD Collection: ToyTown/Jungle Party
- Four-DVD Box Set Collection
- Bonzo: Singalong Adventures
- The Singing Kettle LIVE
Live shows
- "The Big Party" (2009)
- "Last collective Singing Kettle production."
- -"Artie's Singing Kettle Show"
- -"Artie-only tour."
- -"Artie's Singing Kettle Halloween Show"
- -"Featuring Artie solo."
- -"Artie's Christmas Show"
- -"Featuring Artie solo."
- -"Artie's Singing Kettle Sing-along"
- -"Tour starring Artie alone."
- -"Artie's Singing Kettle – Silly Songs"
- -"Artie solo performance."
- -"Artie's Singing Kettle – Greatest Hits"
- -"Solo tour by Artie."
| Year | Show Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "Scotch Broth" | Performed at various venues in Stirling including Macrobert Arts Centre. |
| 1989 | "The Singing Kettle at Christmas" | St Andrews' Byre Theatre. |
| 1990 | "Down in the Jungle" | |
| "Crackers at Christmas" | ||
| 1991 | "Street Party" | |
| "Inspector Parrot and the Big Green Planet" | ||
| 1992 | "Wild West Show" | |
| 1993 | "The Boogie Woogie Zoo" | |
| "World Tour" | First live video recorded in 1994. Inspired by Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days. Logo pays tribute to Universal Studios’ 1920s emblem. | |
| "Christmas Kettle Show" | Exclusive engagement at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. | |
| "Christmas in Kettleland" | Exclusive to Glasgow SECC. | |
| 1994 | "Down in the Jungle" | |
| "Time Machine" | ||
| "Giant Christmas Present" | Exclusive performance at Glasgow SECC. | |
| 1995 | "Pirates!" | Broadcast on Scottish Television. |
| "Christmas Party" | Marked Jane’s debut. Exclusive at Glasgow SECC. Aired on Border Television. | |
| 1996 | "Wild West Show" | Remake of the 1992 production. |
| "Seaside Special" | ||
| "Christmas Wishes" | Exclusive to Glasgow SECC. | |
| 1997 | "Party Time" | |
| "Busy Road Show" | Broadcast on Border Television. | |
| "Jingle Bells" | Presented exclusively at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. | |
| 1998 | "The Big Band Show" | |
| "World Tour" | Remake of the 1993 show. | |
| "Santa's Musical Workshop" | ||
| 1999 | "Funny Farm" | |
| "Millennium Christmas Party" | ||
| "Homemade Band Show" (2000) | "First appearance of Bonzo." | |
| "Pirates at Christmas" (2000) | ||
| "Pirates!" (2001) | "Remake of the 1995 show." | |
| "Silly Circus" (2001) | ||
| "Winter Wonderland" (2001) | "Final appearances of Jane and Maw; introduction of McLeod. [Both featured on Winter Wonderland Cassette]" | |
| "Jungle Party" (2002) | "Debut filmed performance featuring McLeod and Henry." | |
| "Toytown" (2002) | "Recorded at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen." | |
| "Medieval Madness" (2003) | "First show released on DVD." | |
| "Merry Christmas Show" (2003) | "Last recorded Christmas performance." | |
| "Deep Sea Adventures" (2004) | ||
| "Santa's Big Surprise" (2004) | ||
| "Blast Off" (2005) | "Final video release." | |
| "Christmas Magic" (2005) | ||
| "Magic Shop" (2006) | ||
| "Old MacDonald's Farm" (2006) | ||
| "Christmas Wonderland" (2006) | ||
| "Wild West Show" (2007) | "Remake of shows from 1992 and 1996." | |
| "Party Time" (2007) | "Remake of the 1997 show." | |
| "Pirate Island" (2008) | ||
| "Christmas Toyshop" (2008) | ||
| "Magical Toyshop" (2009) | ||
| "Boogie Woogie Zoo" (2009) | "First appearances of Jock and Jeremy. Remake of the 1993 show." | |
| "Christmas Pyjama Party" (2009) | ||
| "Pyjama Party" (2009) | ||
| "Calamity Castle" (2009) | ||
| "Silly Songs" (2009) | ||
| "Pirate Party" (2009) | ||
| "Fun Factory (The Singing Kettle Tour)" (2009) | ||
| "The Funny Farm" (2009) | ||
| "Farmyard Party / Pirate Party" (2009) | ||
| "Christmas Fancy Dress Party" (2009) | ||
| "Fancy Dress Party" (2009) | ||
| "Shake Rattle And Roll" (2009) | ||
| "Fairytale Christmas / Fairytale Castle" (2009) | "Final appearances by Fisher and Trezise. Last Christmas show released on DVD." | |
| "Rumble in the Jungle" (2009) | "Introduced Anya and Pom Pom." | |
| "Magic Wishing Well" (2009) | ||
| "Fantastic Funfair" (2009) | "Last show issued on DVD." | |
| "The Big Christmas Party" (2009) | "Final tour featuring all members collectively." |
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1974 establishments in Scotland
- 2015 disestablishments in Scotland
- 1989 Scottish television series debuts
- 1993 Scottish television series endings
- 1980s Scottish television series
- 1980s British children's television series
- 1990s British children's television series
- 1980s British music television series
- 1990s British music television series
- BAFTA winners (television series)
- BBC children's television shows
- BBC Scotland television shows
- Scottish children's entertainment
- British children's musical groups
- British children's musical television series
- British English-language television shows
- Musical groups established in 1974
- Musical groups disestablished in 2015
- Scottish folk music groups