Rentaghost (TV Series 1976–1984) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error Harold and Ethel Meaker live in South Ealing and run 'Rentaghost' where they rent ghosts out to the public. Over the years many ghosts came and went but the main Rentaghost crew consisted ... See full summary » Stars: a list of 110 titles created 13 Mar 2012 a list of 30 titles created 23 Nov 2012 a list of 24 titles created 26 Dec 2013 a list of 2127 titles created 15 May 2014 a list of 352 titles created 19 Apr 2015 Search for " Rentaghost " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin.

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Before he eats a banana, Bananaman is a young boy called Eric who is keen to keep his ... See full summary » Stars: Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie, Tim Brooke-Taylor Children's animation from the 'Smallfilms' team of Postgate and Firmin. In the 'top, left hand corner of Wales' runs an archaic railway line staffed by such characters as Jones the Steam ... See full summary » Stars: Olwen Griffiths, Anthony Jackson, Oliver Postgate Danger Mouse, the greatest secret agent in the world, must follow Colonel K's orders (and try not to break Professor Squawkencluck's inventions) to foil Baron Greenback's and his henchman Stiletto's plans. Stars: David Jason, Terry Scott, Edward Kelsey Edit Storyline Harold and Ethel Meaker live in South Ealing and run 'Rentaghost' where they rent ghosts out to the public.

Over the years many ghosts came and went but the main Rentaghost crew consisted of - Timothy Claypole - A jester at the court of Queen Matilda (The Dreaded Tyrant of the Twelfth Century) Hazel the McWitch - The ghost of a Scottish witch who was recruited during the rentapotion venture Nadia Popov - A Dutch ghost who still suffered from hayfever and had a habit of 'popping off' whenever she saw a flower Fred Mumford - Originally founded Rentaghost after becoming a ghost in a shipping accident six months previously and runs the business for a short time. Hubert Davenport - A distinguished Victorian gentleman. The Meaker's next door neighbours, Rose and Arthur Perkins, were convinced that the Meaker's were a pair of nutters and hired a private detective then tried to get a psychiatrist to convince them that they needed treatment. Harold Meaker - Originally the spooks landlord but ...

Written by Timothy C <claypole@cableol.co.uk> Rentaghost - BBC Kids TV Series - Simplyeighties.com RENTAGHOST "If your mansion house needs haunting just call Rentaghost..." Well, I certainly remember that theme tune from this truly zany, pantomime-style kids TV comedy series. It originally aired on BBC1 from 6th Jan 1976 until 6th Nov 1984, and can, therefore, claim to be both a 1970s and 80s TV show. Each episode revolved around a business in South Ealing that rents out a group of rather inept ghosts. Rentaghost is run by a likeable character called Fred Mumford (played by Anthony Jackson) who is himself a ghost who feels that he was a failure in life. He aims to help other ghosts who also feel they have failed in life, through his company.

At the start of the series, the only recruits are the troublesome jester, Timothy Claypole (Michael Staniforth), who was ill at ease with modern technology and a dandy Victorian gentleman called Hubert Davenport (Michael Darbyshire) who was easily offended by the lack of morals in modern times. His character only remained until 1978. Rentaghost rents its office from the sour-faced Harold Meaker (Edward Brayshaw) who is unaware of what kind of business they are running, at least, in the first two series. His wife, Ethel, is played by Ann Emery throughout the entire series. New spooky recruits and other characters were introduced as the series progressed. In 1977, a local entrepreneur and owner of a department store was introduced called Adam Painting (Christopher Biggins) who regularly tries to recruit the incompetent ghosts to help with his latest business schemes, but fails miserably. In 1978, we saw the arrival of the ghost of a Scottish witch called Hazel the McWitch who was played bu Molly Weir. Dobbin the pantomime horse also became a regular character after appearing in a Christmas special.

He was brought to life by Timothy Claypole who then proved to be too incompetent to reverse the spell. New neighbours to Harold and Ethel Meaker, Arthur and Rose Perkins (Jeffrey Segal and Hal Dyer), were also introduced in 1978, and, amusingly, they became convinced that the Meakers were complete and utter nutters, regularly hiring private detectives and psychiatrists to prove that their etiquette was far from normal. In 1981, a Dutch ghost who suffered from severe hayfever was introduced. Miss Popov (Sue Nicholls) would teleport herself ("pop off") whenever she sneezed, usually by catching the whiff of a flower. 1983 saw the introduction of Whatsisname Smith (played by Carry On regular Kenneth Connor) whose name no one could remember. Susie Starlight (Aimi MacDonald) was added to the final series in 1984. She was a fairy godmother who could grant wishes. Rentaghost T-shirts Whatever happened to the main cast members of Rentaghost?

Anthony Jackson (Proprietor Fred Mumford) also provided many voices for characters in the BBC animation Ivor The Engine, as well as Budgie The Helicopter, The Adventures of Paddington Bear, The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends and many other animations. He also appeared in numerous sitcoms including Bless This House, Citizen Smith and Only Fools and Horses, to name but a few. He later appeared in The Bill, Footballer's Wives and Doctors. Jackson died suddenly on 26th November 2006 (aged 62) after becoming ill during rehearsals for the play Waiting For Godot in Ireland. Michael Darbyshire (Hubert Davenport) died on November 20th 1979 while Rentaghost was still in its infancy. The series continued without him, of course, but before this he had played one of the eccentric inventors in the musical film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968. Michael Staniforth (Timothy Claypole) was the longest-standing cast member and also composed and sang the Rentaghost theme tune. After the series ended in 1984 he played CB the Red Caboose in the musical Starlight Express.

Sadly, Michael died from an AIDS-related illness on 31st July 1987. Between 1950 and 1975, Molly Weir (Hazel the McWitch) had roles in eight major movies before joining Rentaghost. She was also the author of seven books between 1970 and 1983 and became well-known as a writer. Molly appeared in the video for the Bluebells hit Young At Heart. She retired in 1999 and died on 28th Nov 2004 leaving almost all of her estate (around £1.9 million) to charities. Rentaghost - ClassicKidsTv.co.uk Rentaghost Jump to: navigation , search Rentaghost Title Originally titled Second Chance, but fortunately renamed before transmission to appeal more to children, Rentaghost was a pantomine style comedy, complete with pantomine horse, revolving around a house of ghosts-for-hire. Available to spook or scare people, or perform all those little tasks that only a ghost can do.

Bob Block , the creator and writer of the show, was originally commissioned to create 5 episodes, but it was so popular that eventually 58 episodes were made and broadcast on BBC1 , over 9 series and one Christmas Special, from 1975-1984, with audiences peaking at nearly 10 million viewers.

Contents Timothy Claypole - A medieval jester Hubert Davenport - An Edwardian gentleman Fred Mumford - A recently deceased young man The Other Occult Hazel the McWitch - A Scottish Witch Tamara Novek - A Scandinavian ghost, with an allergy to flowers Nadia Popov - Tamara's cousin, with the same allergy Dobbin - An animated pantomine horse Catastrophe Kate - An American ghost from the Wild West Adam Painting - Owner of a department store the ghosts worked at Susie Starlight - A fairy godmother Queen Matilda - Claypole's Queen when he served at Court Bernie St John - An animated pantomine dragon Whatisname Smith - A hopeless ghost, that no one could remember The Others Harold Meaker - The Ghosts landlord Ethel Meaker - Harold's wife Arthur Perkins - The Ghosts next-door neighbour Rose Perkins - Arthur's wife Aunt Mable - The Perkin's Aunt Cast & Credits Theme Tune Michael Staniforth (Timothy Claypole in the series) originally wrote and sung the theme tune. There were multiple versions of this theme, a more comprehensive list can be found on The Rentaghost Homepage . If your mansion house needs haunting, Just call... Rentaghost!

We've got spooks and ghouls and freaks and fools, At... Rentaghost! Hear the Phantom of the Opera, Sing a haunting melody. Remember what you see is not a mystery, But... Rentaghost! At your party be a smarty And hire... Rentaghost! If you want a fright, Climb the spooky heights, You can let our spirits move you, And for fun play ghostman's knock, Because we aim to shock, We hope your knees will knock. That's... Rentaghost! Let me say the most terrific, simple ghost, not scientific, Maybe supernatural ghouls of the day. Heavy footsteps in your attic, Means a spectre telepathic, Is descending just to spirit you away. Whay! We are extraordinary fellas here at... Rentaghost! To be another Uri Geller, Come to... RRRRentaghost! For a biography we've ghost writers, And not forgetting a ghost script. An apparition quipped, From deep inside a crypt... Ring Rentaghost! From deep inside a crypt... Ring Rentaghost!

Rentaghost - Show News, Reviews, Recaps and Photos - TV.com EDIT Welcome to the Rentaghost guide at TV.com. Rentaghost was conceived and written throughout its 9 series by Bob Block, the prolific comedy writer from the 1940s to the 1980s. (Website: ) Plot Summary Harold and Ethel Meaker live in South Ealing and run 'Rentaghost' where they rent ghosts out to the public. Over the years many ghosts came and went but the main Rentaghost crew consisted of - Timothy Claypole - A jester at the court of Queen Matilda (The Dreaded Tyrant of the Twelfth Century) Hazel the McWitch - The ghost of a Scottish witch who was recruited during the rentapotion venture Nadia Popov - A Dutch ghost who still suffered from hayfever and had a habit of 'popping off' whenever she saw a flower Fred Mumford - Originally founded Rentaghost after becoming a ghost in a shipping accident six months previously and runs the business for a short time. Hubert Davenport - A distinguished Victorian gentleman.

The Meaker's next door neighbours, Rose and Arthur Perkins, were convinced that the Meaker's were a pair of nutters and hired a private detective then tried to get a psychiatrist to convince them that they needed treatment. Harold Meaker - Originally the spooks landlord but later took over the business when Fred Mumford couldn't keep up with the rent. Ethel Meaker - Harold's wife who fancies herself as a bit of a singer.

TRANSMISSION DETAILS Series One Five Episodes broadcast on BBC 1 Tuesdays at 5.15pm from 6th January - 3rd February 1976 Series Two Six Episodes broadcast on BBC 1 Tuesdays at 5.15pm from 16th May - 22nd June 1976 Series Three Six Episodes broadcast on BBC 1* Tuesdays at 4.40pm from 22nd February - 29th March 1977 Series Four Six Episodes broadcast BBC 1 Thursdays at 4.35pm from 14th September-19th October 1978 Rentasanta Special Episode 24 - BBC 1 Thursday 21st December 1978 at 4.30pm Series Five Five Episodes broadcast on BBC 1 Fridays/Tuesdays at 5.10pm from 7th - 21st March 1980 Series Six Six Episodes broadcast on BBC 1 Fridays at 5.05pm from 24th April - 29th May 1981 Series Seven Thirteen episodes (including the special) broadcast on BBC 1

 Tuesdays at 5.10pm from 5th October - 29th December 1982 It's Pantomime Time!

Special Episode 47 - tx BBC 1 Tuesday 21st December 1982 at 5.10pm Series Eight Five Episodes broadcast BBC 1 Tuesdays at 4.40pm from 18th October-15th November 1983 Series Nine Five Episodes broadcast on BBC 1 Tuesdays at 4.35pm from 9th October - 6 November 1984 THEME TUNE The distinctive theme tune to Rentaghost was written and sung by Michael Staniforth (Timothy Claypole in the series). Different versions of the theme tune exist. First, the familiar theme tune followed by an alternate version used twice during the first series. Also detailed are a longer version from the 1983 Rentaghost annual and the complete Rentasanta theme. RENTAGHOST If your mansion house needs haunting just call, Rentaghost, We've got spooks and ghouls and freaks and fools, at Rentaghost, Hear the Phantom of the Opera, sing a haunting melody, Remember what you see is not a mystery but ..... Rentaghost!

At your party be a smarty then hire Rentaghost, If you want a fright climb the spooky heights, with Rentaghost, You can let our spirits move you, and for fun play ghostman's knock, Because we aim to shock, we hope you knees will knock, that's Rentaghost. Let me say the most terrific simple ghost, not scientific, Maybe supernatural ghouys of the day. Heavy footsteps in your attic means a spectre telepathic, Is descending just to spirit you away ..... Yaaay! We are extraordinary fellas here at Rentaghost, To be another Uri Geller come to RRRRRentaghost. For a biography we've ghost writers, And not forgetting a ghost script, An apparition quipped from deep inside a crypt, Ring Rentaghost, An apparition quipped from deep inside a crypt, Ring Rentaghost! RENTAGHOST 1975 If your mansion house needs haunting just call, Rentaghost, We've got spooks and ghouls and poltergeists, at Rentaghost, Hear the Phantom of the Opera, sing a haunting melody, Because what you see is not ESP but, Rentaghost.

At your party have seance so hire Rentaghost, We give medium tables here at, Rentaghost, You can let our spirits move you, and for fun play ghostman's knock, 'Cos we aim to shock, we hope you knees will knock, that's Rentaghost. Well it's hardly scientific but it's really quite terrific, It's the spirit of the thing that counts for you. To be a great manifestation, a phenomenal fixation, Get scared to death, become a ghost too. We are extraordinary fellas here at Rentaghost, To be another Uri Geller come to RRRRRentaghost. For a biography we've ghost writers, And not forgetting a ghost script, An apparition quipped from deep inside a crypt, Ring Rentaghost, An apparition quipped from deep inside a crypt, Ring Rentaghost!

RENTAGHOST Annual 1983 If Your Mansion House Needs Haunting Just Call Rentaghost We've Got Spooks and Ghouls and Freaks and Fools At Rentaghost Hear the Phantom of the Opera Sing A Haunting Melody Remember What You See is Not A Mystery But Rentaghost At Your Party Be A Smarty and Hire Rentaghost If You Want A Fright Climb the Spooky Heights with Rentaghost You Can Let Our Spirits Haunt You and for Fun Play Ghostmans' Knock Because We Aim to Shock We Hope Your Knees Will Knock That's Rentaghost Let Me Say We're Most Terrific Simple Ghosts Not Scientific Merely Supernatural Ghoulies of the Day Heavy Foot Steps in Your Attic Means A Spectre Telepathic is Descending Just to Spirit You Away Hey! We Are Extraordinary Fellows Here At Rentaghost To Be Another Uri Geller Come to Rentaghost For A Biography We've Ghost Writers and Not Forgetting A Ghost Script An Apparition Quipped From Deep Inside A Crypt Ring Rentaghost An Apparition Quipped From Deep Inside A Crypt Ring Rentaghost!

Every Guy and Girl Will Love the Spirit World of Rentaghost A Seance Or Two Will Blast the Past to You Via Rentaghost For Litations Try Our Visitations Great Manifestations Astrally Its Simple Esp Plus Psychic Energy And Rentaghost. We've Got Clanking Chains And Supernatural Brains At Rentaghost If Things Keep Falling Down A Poltergeist's Around From Rentaghost We Answer Any Calls We Roller Skate Through Walls We Wander Headless Down Your Halls If You Want Moans And Groans Vibrating 'Round Your Homes Call Rentaghost. Can Our Physic Save Your Souling Send Your Spirits Rock And Rolling Let Our Ghost From Coast to Coast Waft Over You To Be A Ghastly Innovation A Phenomenal Sensation Just Get Scared to Death Become A Ghost Too..Ooh! We Knock Upon Your Door Then Enter Through The Floor That's Rentaghost You Want An Exorcist to Clear The Mystic Myths Call Rentaghost Invisibility Plus Our Agility to Raise Your Spirits 'Scuse The Pun Is What Makes it Fun to Be A Deadly Son of Rentaghost When All is Said And Done Our Vision is The One Ring Rentaghost. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

RENTAGHOST Xmas 1978 Rentasanta Claus a day, We'll deliver come what may, You may never hear us knocking, But we'll fill your Christmas stocking. Sweets and toys are just a shade of, Magic stuff that dreams are made of, Thrills and chills and lots of fun, Merry Christmas everyone.

moreless BFI Screenonline: Rentaghost (1976-84) Rentaghost (1976-84) 58 x 25 minutes episodes in nine series plus two specials, colour Script Bob Block Cast: Anthony Jackson (Fred Mumford); Michael Darbyshire (Hubert Davenport); Michael Staniforth (Timothy Claypole); Edward Brayshaw (Mr Meaker); Jana Sheldon (Catastrophe Kate); Molly Weir (Hazel The MacWitch); Sue Nicholls (Nadia Popov) Show full synopsis Rentaghost (BBC, 1976-84) began with an intriguing premise for a children's programme: a recently deceased ghost, Fred Mumford, whose own parents don't know he is dead, returns to earth to set up an agency hiring out the services of other ghosts to still-living humans. The ghosts he employs, a Victorian fop, Hubert Davenport, and a medieval jester, Timothy Claypole, are themselves quite as scared of the twentieth century as any living human is of them. Made in any context other than 1970s children's TV, it could have been quite dark.

With the addition of its own idiosyncratic mythology of the dead (walking through walls, 'psychic energy', and the need for a ghost to pinch his nose in order to transport himself), and Fred Mumford's inability to get the hang of his ghostly powers, the first few series were both funny and intelligent. After the end of the fourth series and a brief break, Mumford and Davenport's characters disappeared. Landlord Meaker took over the business, and Claypole remained as the central ghost character. The series got gradually weaker, with new situations and businesses (the ghosts ran a beauty salon, casting spells on frumpy women) disguising a lack of energy and imagination in the characters themselves. Rentaghost's new employees were increasingly stereotypical foreign caricatures with cod accents and 'amusing' characteristics - hayfever-suffering dutchwoman Nadia Popov (played by Coronation Street's Sue Nicholls ) and Scots sorceress Hazel the McWitch. TV detective drama writer Lynda La Plante (using the name Lynda Marchal), put in an appearance as Popov's sneezing predecessor, Tamara Novek.

Running for nine seasons and nearly ten years, it was perhaps inevitable that Rentaghost would lose its way. Later episodes had a dully pantomimic quality (greatly enhanced by the presence of an actual pantomime horse as a regular character) and routinely ended in gleeful chaos around a rueful Meaker. Nevertheless, the germ of an interesting premise and the sheer energy of Michael Staniforth (who also performed the theme tune) as Claypole made it one of the longer-lasting children's television series, if not always the most fondly remembered. Danny Birchall BBC - Beds Herts and Bucks - Entertainment - Rentaghost The Musical! The cast of Rentaghost Rentaghost The Musical! One of the best children's TV shows of all time has been transformed into a musical by Joe Pasquale. He told us how Rentaghost The Musical will be visiting St Albans and aims to follow on from the cult TV series and scare a whole new audience. Rentaghost Facts 15 April 2006 2.00pm & 5.00pm • Michael Staniforth (Timothy Claypole - “GADZOOKS!”) wrote and sang the theme tune.

His original song had to be re-written as concern grew that it was too close to The Exorcist. • Lynda La Plante, the well-known crime writer, played Miss Novak the ‘nanny-ghost’ under her stage name Lynda Marchal • Miss Novak was replaced by Nadia Popov, the sneezing ghost, who was played by Sue Nicholls - she went on to play Audrey in Coronation Street • Ann Emery, who played ‘Mistress’ Ethel Meaker, is the sister of the late comedian Dick Emery. • The role of Hazel McWitch was especially written for the late Molly Weir who had become a family friend when she and Bob worked together on Life With The Lyons • The men inside Dobbin also played the Myrka in Doctor Who's Warriors Of The Deep. Regarded as one of the feeblest of monster costumes of all time, it is famous for electrocuting a karate-chopping Ingrid Pitt and savaging a mattress. As sitcoms go Rentaghost was always a bit different to your average 70s show, for starters it was targeted at children.

The basis of the comedy revolved around a small group of ghosts who had got together to form an organisation where people could hire them to perform unique tasks. While this doesn't exactly smack of ideal musical fodder, for a generation of today's adults Rentaghost was amazingly popular and has a somewhat cult following. Joe Pasquale helped create the show It was therefore with some delight to discover that comedian Joe Pasquale has written a musical version of the hit show which is due to appear live on stage at the Alban Arena in late February 2006. Joe has not only written Rentaghost: The Musical, based on the BBC TV series that he loved but he is also producing the show in association with Ghostly Productions. Rentaghost: The Musical features Fred Mumford, the man who fell to his death from a cross-channel ferry; Hubert Davenport, the elegant Victorian ghost; jester Timothy Claypole and nutty Hazel McWitch, as they attempt to haunt Maudlin Manor.

In 2001, Rentaghost came 12th in a Channel 4 poll of the 100 Greatest Kids’ TV shows, which demonstrates the influence and popularity of the show for a whole generation of children - and their parents! Now grandparents, and mums and dads can take their children to this magical, mystical show to see if they can re-create their own childhood and introduce their own kids to some spooky Rentaghost magic. But why recreate a musical for children based on a programme they would never have seen? Joe was able to explain his decision: Q: Why did you want to do a musical of Rentaghost? Joe: It was one of my obsessions as a kid, as well as that of the show’s producer Shaun Cornell. I think a whole generation of kids my age in the Seventies were obsessed too, as there was no other TV show like it - it was the predecessor of all this Harry Potter and ghosty stuff that’s around these days, and I was really keen on magic and ghostly stuff when I was a kid. So it seems natural for me to write a show around it.

"I think a whole generation of kids my age in the Seventies were obsessed too, as there was no other TV show like it!" Joe Pasquale on his love for Rentaghost. Shaun and I sat down and discussed it for a couple of hours, and neither of us could come up with a reason why a show of Rentaghost wouldn't work - we just sat there laughing about it and reminiscing about the great characters, and we thought that if we both loved it so much, there must be a big nostalgia element attached that meant most of the country would love it as well. It's been great fun to work on, and sometimes the meetings about it have descended into lunacy. It’s great to be in on the ground floor of a project like this, and involved in the business as well as the creative end. Hopefully mums and dads will come to see the show and encourage their kids to watch something they watched as children. Q: How far do you and Shaun go back? Joe: We met in 1988, and I used to sleep on his floor when he was stage crew at Butlins, and I was the warm-up comic - he insists I was rubbish!

I set myself on fire the first night I was on stage, and he came backstage and laughed himself silly, and we became big mates from that point on. That friendship means that we can work on a show like Rentaghost together. Q: When did you come up with the idea for the show? Joe: Sean and I have been thinking about it for years, but it was when I was in the Australian jungle for I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! that I was able to give it some really serious thought. Sue Nicholls - pre-Coronation Street After that, we just sat down and said 'Why don't we do it ourselves?' and so we set up Ghostly Productions to put the show on. Shaun and I have been mates for 20 years, and we started off in showbusiness together, and we couldn't think of any reason not to do it! Q: Does the show have the blessing of its creator, Bob Block? Joe: Very much so. He's coming to the opening night in Harlow on February 13th, and he's already sent us a message of good luck.

I'm also trying to get in touch with the members of the original Rentaghost cast who are still around, like Christopher Biggins (Adam Painting )and Sue Nichols (Miss Popov), to see if they'd like to come and see the musical. Q: Was it a chore for you to write the show? Joe: Not at all. I watched the original TV show on DVD and that was a great inspiration. I've stayed close to the spirit of the show and the characters, but not the same stories. Q: If you were in the show, which character would you like to play? Joe: The jester, Timothy Claypole, but it was a conscious decision for me not to be in it as I've got so many irons in the fire at the moment. Q: You might not be physically in the show, but we can hear you, can't we? Michael Staniforth was Timothy Claypole Joe: Lord Edward Maudlin is the guy who runs Maudlin Manor where the show is set, and his grandfather, Edward Maudlin Senior Senior, who thought his children were irresponsible before he died in 1798, he possessed the marble bust of himself, and that’s the voice I do.

Edward died due to a freak accident involving a brown fluffy slipper and a leaping Schnauzer. He’s so bored that he’s there to create some mayhem with constant heckling, sarcastic comments, stupid rhymes - just the kind of thing you might expect from me... Q: There’s a talking moose too! Joe: When you do a set that’s the inside of a manor house, there are certain things you can't avoid - statues, suits of armour and stuffed moose’s heads. So we put in Reginald Moose QC - the title gives him a certain air of grandeur. Q: How difficult was it to cast a show that so many people remember so vividly? Joe: We did a three-day audition at Pineapple Studios in London, and for seven roles we saw 420 people. We had an open audition one day and we got into trouble because we jammed up the entire building! We thought about what the characters looked like, which is inevitable, and it's always in the back of your head when you're casting, but it was really all about an actor’s abilities, and what they looked like came second. I'm really pleased with the cast we have.

Q: Is there a lot of your trademark wacky sense of humour in Rentaghost? Joe: Yes, it's got my feel to it, and there's loads of magic, which I really love, too. We've got magic consultants Stuart and Jayne Loughland, and magic is an integrated element of the show - there isn't a drum roll when a trick comes on. All the magic in the show is just as natural as stirring a cup of tea - a ghost floating two feet in the air, or walking through a wall, or making a bin empty itself is natural for a show about ghosts, so all the way through the show teacups stir themselves, there's an enchanted head, flying handkerchiefs, people coming out of suitcases, which is all normal for a company of ghosts! Q: All those amazing effects must be quite pricey... Joe: Yes, it hasn't been cheap to stage, but you have to do it because the show demands it. We want the families to come in and engage in the story and be carried along by it. There are bits where they can go berserk, and there’s a great story and good characters.

We've also got a point to prove - there is some children’s theatre that plays to them as if they're stupid, but we want to produce the Harry Potter equivalent of a live show, with great characters and plots that are enchanting and absorbing that lets kids experience something magical. Kids are pretty sophisticated these days. Q: Is this the first project that you’ve worked on that’s specifically for a family market? Rentaghost: The Musical Joe: Yes, but to be honest, when I do a comedy tour myself, it's tailored for a family audience anyway - I don't do anything on stage that I wouldn't do in front of my kids. Families will enjoy the funny, silly elements and the nostalgia of the show, and there’s lots of comedy that’s really on-the-nose for the kids. Q: Is there a chance for audience participation in Rentaghost? Joe: There's a ghost tramp in the theatre before the show starts doing some close-up magic, who’s part of the show, and lots of songs. The music is by Robin Scott, a very talented guy who is currently playing Benny in the Abba tribute band Bjorn Again!

He's classically trained, and we gave him three characters and asked him to write some music to go with them Q: Was writing a musical one of your ambitions? Joe: Definitely, and I've still got loads left! I did a movie last year, Dead Long Enough, playing a gay army lieutenant, and hopefully that will be out this year. I watched it, and was quite pleased with my performance. I'm also doing a big series for ITV1, which we have yet to finalise details of, and I'm doing the voice of a character called Frankenstein’s Cat for the BBC! He’s called Nine, not because he has nine lives, but because he was made from the parts of nine cats, and every time he laughs, he falls apart. I did the pilot last year, and the BBC liked it so much that now they want 52 episodes. I'd also love to do an album of duets with Robbie Williams! Take a trip down memory lane and check out our special gallery of original photos from Rentaghost. Rentaghost. Television Rentaghost. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.

You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. 288 Rentaghost. Has anyone else seen on the news and tv thats Joe Pasquale is doing Rentaghost the musical! It has all the original characters in and Joe is a kinda narrator. I loved the TV show, Mr Claypole was my favourite. 1 Originally Posted by koukou Has anyone else seen on the news and tv thats Joe Pasquale is doing Rentaghost the musical! It has all the original characters in and Joe is a kinda narrator. I loved the TV show, Mr Claypole was my favourite. Not sure when this was posted , but there is a rentaghost musical going round . comming to our town, Worthing in the easter hols .Hope that this helps confirm your info.

Posts 3,797 I used to watch that altho i dont really remeber it all that well...i remeber mr claypole though and the one who looked like a fairy godmother whod get a round of applause when she opened her bag heh As for our destination.....the wind will guide us! I remember it fairly well especially most of the main characters: Mr Harold Meaker (who owned Rentaghost) played by ? Mrs Ethel Meaker (who owned Rentaghost) played by ? of course Mr Timothy Claypole (the jester) played by Michael Staniforth Miss Nadia Popov (who had hay fever and vanished every time she sneezed) played by Sue Nichols (Audrey in Corrie) Hazel the MacWitch (she was Scottish) played by Molly Weir I can remember the Fairy Godmother, but can't remember her name. There was also a ghost in the first season who was a man and was dressed normally, but again the name escapes me. All of the above was courtesy of my own memory not from the internet............my god even I'm impressed!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Question: Which character was dressed as a jester in Rentaghost?
Answer: Timothy Claypole