# The Ink Thief

The Ink Thief is a 1994 British children's TV show, shown on the ITV channel during their CITV segment. It starred Richard O'Brien and Toyah Willcox. The series was produced by Animus Entertainment for Tyne Tees Television.

## Plot summary

The titular antagonist known only as the Ink Thief (O'Brien) steals the power of imagination by sucking the "ink" out of books and drawings. At the start of the show, brother and sister Jim and Sam stumble upon his gothic world filled with Oobs, Bumps, and other imaginary creatures. During the course of the show, the children's friendship is tested as Jim is manipulated by the Ink Thief, whereas Sam fights to stop him. Each episode is peppered with plot-specific songs, giving the show a musical feel.

## Production

Illustrator Steve Hanson developed the first concept art for the show. Production Designer Murti Schofield says on his website: "It should be remembered that it was Steve’s brilliant concepts that got everybody fired up in the first place." The show was written by Paul Springer, who also authored a book based on the series.
Director Tony White described it as "very much a low-budget, no-time effort but it was successful on British Television, making No. 5 in the ratings" Some of the production crew, including White and Schofield, also acted in the show in small parts. The writer Paul Springer appeared in a larger role, as the character "Toddy", the Ink Thief's bumbling cat henchman. The series' various songs were composed by Adrian Lee. The show only lasted for one season, consisting of seven half-hour-long episodes.

## Cast

Main cast:
* Felicity Todd as Sam - An artistic girl who stumbles into the world of Bumps and fights to win back her brother from The Ink Thief's clutches.
* Stefan Weclawek as Jim - A bright boy whose knowledge of science makes him vulnerable to being used by The Ink Thief.
* Richard O'Brien as The Ink Thief - A muse-like creature who's supposed to inspire writers and artists, but he's gone rogue and consumes imagination to boost his own power.
* Joyce Springer as Miz Tiggle - A librarian who often speaks in confounding riddles, the good-natured Miz Tiggle is sister to the Ink Thief.
* Gary Martin as Lorni Snoop - A floppy-eared bump who loves to Snoop but is frightened of his own shadow.
* Toyah Willcox as Dog - A loyal friend to Miz Tiggle who strives to protect the library.
* Richard Ridings as Aloysius - The Ink Thief's righthand man, a muscular rat.
* Paul Springer as Toddy - A dimwitted cat who works for the Ink Thief.
* Owain Thomas - Creaker
* Kristen Wilkin - Thumper
* Tamir Randall - Roll
* Mary-Louise Clark - Shake Rattle/Storm
Appearing in five episodes or less:
* Andy Andrews - Hot Air
* James Barton - Sir Bumpalot/Mr Waverley
* Tessa Crockett - Moonshooter 1/Messa Sloppit
* Trevor Michael Georges - Rock
* Catherine Jansen - Cheesey/Mrs. Waverley
* Zoe Loyell Othen - Goosebump
* Sally Owen - Loose Page/Big Balloonie
* Dave Price - Previous Ink Thief
* Talia Benni Randall - Moonshooter 2
* Julia Righton - The Bumpess
* Murti Schofield - Air Academy Bump/Shark
* Tony White - Leonardo da Vinci

## Episodes

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
| 1 | 1 | "Hello Kiddies" | Tony White | Paul Springer | July 20, 1994 (1994-07-20) |
| After moving to a new home, Samantha and Jim Stumble onto the lair of the Ink Thief, meet the mysterious librarian Miz Tiggle, and encounter other strange creatures who go bump in the night. Song: Sneaking - Lornie Snoop ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Strange Books" | Tony White | Paul Springer | July 27, 1994 (1994-07-27) |
| When Jim falls under the charm of The Ink Thief, Sam turns to Miz Tiggle for help. Song: Your Brother's Back & He's Horrible - The Bumps ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Nasty and the OOB" | Tony White | Paul Springer | August 3, 1994 (1994-08-03) |
| Sam learns how The Ink Thief became so nasty; Miz Tiggle summons a meeting of the Official Organization of Bumps; Jim discovers a way to inflate the Ink Thief's powers. ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Earth, Water, Cheese and Air" | Tony White | Paul Springer | August 10, 1994 (1994-08-10) |
| Sam and Miz Tiggle set off on a quest to reunite the Four Bumps of the Apoplypse; the Ink Thief begins draining the life force from other bumps. Song: I'm Only Human - The Ink Thief ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Earth + Water = Muddle" | Tony White | Paul Springer | August 18, 1994 (1994-08-18) |
| Sam, Miz Tiggle and Snoop meet up with Rock; Dog protects the library; The Ink Thief becomes drunk on power. Song: When You're a Rock, You Gotta Roll - Rock, Miz Tiggle, Snoop, Sam ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Cheese and Balloony" | Tony White | Paul Springer | August 24, 1994 (1994-08-24) |
| Mizz Tiggle finds the other Bumps of the Apopylpse. Snoop stands up to The Ink Thief. Songs: Better Keep Your Fingers Off My Bumps - Miz Tiggle & The Watchdog Blues - Dog ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Can This Really Be the End?" | Tony White | Paul Springer | August 31, 1994 (1994-08-31) |
| Things go south for The Ink Thief when the Four Bumps of the Apoplypse infiltrate his domain. ||||||