Badjelly the Witch facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Spike Milligan |
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| Illustrator | Spike Milligan |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Hobbs & Michael Joseph |
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Publication date
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1973 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | 0718111125 |
Badjelly the Witch is a fun, handwritten story by Spike Milligan. He created it for his own children, and it was first printed in 1973. This popular tale has also been turned into audio recordings and a movie!
Contents
The Story of Badjelly
In the story, two children named Tim and Rose are looking for their lost cow, Lucy. They meet many magical characters in an enchanted forest. But then, they are captured by the evil Badjelly the Witch! Luckily, an eagle helps them escape. As they get away, the witch tries to harm a powerful force, and she is destroyed. All the characters who were under Badjelly's spell are then set free.
Audio Adventures
In 1974, Ed Welch added music to Badjelly the Witch. A record was released on Polydor Records. Spike Milligan himself narrated the story with a big orchestra. The record was quite popular, especially in New Zealand. It was played often on morning radio there. By 2012, over 40,000 copies had been sold in New Zealand!
Badjelly on Screen
In 2000, a film based on the book was made by CBBC and Ragdoll Productions. It was shown on Christmas Day. Spike Milligan, the author of the book, narrated the movie. He also wrote parts of the film and appeared as himself. Spike voiced all the characters in the movie. The child actors Sarah Wichall and Jake Dudley voiced Tim and Rose.
Badjelly on Stage
Badjelly the Witch has been performed as a play many times. Alannah O'Sullivan's 1977 play is the most performed New Zealand play. It has been staged over 100 times across New Zealand.
Tim Bray Productions in New Zealand has also presented its own version of the play. They performed it in 2010, 2016, and 2018. Their show included funny songs and comedy, like the famous "Ying Tong" song.
In 2010 and 2011, the Chickenshed Theatre Company created a show called Badjelly's Bad Christmas. It featured Badjelly the Witch and other characters from Spike Milligan's stories.
The New Theatre in Sydney, Australia, also performed the show in 2006.
Images for kids
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Theatre 87 Production of "Bad Jelly the Witch" in Wellington, June 1978
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