The Lampies is an English children's animated television series created by David Bonner and features a mix of 2D and 3D animation. Created by David Bonner in conjunction with Uli Meyer Animation Studios and music by Mcasso Music, there are 52 eleven-minute episodes that were originally commissioned by the BBC. Financial issues caused the creative and business drive to falter and momentum was lost. In 2003 The Lampies IP was bought from the receiver by a private investor.
Plot
A group of sprite-like power engineers maintain and defend the lamp post HO32 which is the critical area of the entire Lighting Network. The Roons who live in the sewers below are the creatures who threaten the Lighting Network due to their strong dislike to the presence of light. Sewer rats can also prove to be a pest to the Lampies.
Characters
The Lampies Crew
Burnout - The laid back Foreman of the Lampies who has to run scheduled switches for the lamp light.
Matronly Spotlight - The routine inspector of the Lampies.
Charge - The clumsy, day-dreaming assistant worker of the Lampies.
Contact - The serious and sensible computer operator of the Lampies.
Livewire - The cute and feisty young girl of the Lampies, who looks after Dustywugg and is Contact's niece.
Dustywugg - A furry dog-like sprite who serves as the Lampies pet and mascot.
Captain Bright Light - The absent-minded captain of the Lampies.
Others
Brigadier Big Beam - The superior organiser of the Lighting Network.
Phosphorous - The Brigadier's officer liaison and Charge's love interest.
Captain Spentflint - Formerly the Lampies' captain and now retired. Criticised as a slave driver.
Spark - The keeper of a bike light. People like him are called Bikeys.
Neon - A one-off character for the series 2 opener and the 'Light Up the World For Christmas' Single
Haywire - A one-off character in series 1 episode 11 'Bouncer' who is Burnout's cousin living in Lamppost HY11 at sector 14.
Episodes
Series 1
Series 2
Reception
TV distribution rights for Series One were sold into 33 countries. When series one was broadcast in 2001 it regularly achieved over 40% of target viewing audience. This figure reached over 50% during 2002. Series two of The Lampies was completed in March 2002 and generated similar audience figures with prime slots on BBC 1 and 2.
Releases
had released a single UK only VHS release of the programme entitled "Captain Who and other stories" in 2001. An introductory DVD - SWITCH ON TO THE LAMPIES was launched on 7 April 2008. The first full DVD, Disc 1 Series One - A BIT OF A JAM AND OTHER STORIES was launched on 19 May 2008. LP Productions formed a partnership with Save the Children in 2008. £2 from the sale of each SWITCH ON TO THE LAMPIES DVD will go towards the Save the Children protection work with very vulnerable children in Mongolia.
