Unbound lifts lid on The Clangers scripts

Unbound is crowdfunding to release a compilation of never-before-seen scripts from TV series "The Clangers", written by series creator Oliver Postgate. 

Clangers: The Complete Scripts 1969-1974 is a collection of 27 scripts from the original series in one illustrated volume, edited by Dan Postgate, son of Oliver Postgate. The book will feature the knitting patterns used to create the original characters, Peter Firmin's illustrations for the show, photographs of the set and models, plus Oliver Postgate's music notation for each episode. 

The scripts reveal that although the clangers communicate in "swanee-whistle language", Postgate had written words for every scene.

“Some people don’t realise that the scripts were written in English,” Daniel Postgate said, "and those who do often speculate on whether a certain amount of bad language—swearing, to be blunt—had been slipped into their conversations.

“My dad’s original intention was for the series to be shown without narration so it would be left up to the viewer to decide what the Clangers were saying. Indeed, when Clangers was shown at a festival in Germany, Oliver asked a German producer whether he could follow the story. ‘Of course! They are speaking perfect German!’ the producer replied.”

The show was originally created in a converted pig-shed, and recorded more than six million viewers, with David Bowie and Marc Bolan among fans. 

John Mitchinson, publisher and co-founder of the crowdfunding press, told The Bookseller he grew up with "Oliver Postgate’s voice in my head—as reassuring and warm as a glass of hot milk but full of mischief and fun".

He said: "'The Clangers represent the high point of his remarkable collaboration with the artist and puppet-maker Peter Firmin, and the composer Vernon Elliott. Reading the scripts for each of these landmark episodes only deepens your love and admiration for what the trio achieved and for the gentle egalitarian philosophy the Clangers lived by. This will be beautiful, collectable object, the perfect Unbound book. Such are the times we live in, it feels like a call to (pink woollen) arms."

Daniel Postgate’s recent series, co-produced with the media company Coolabi, has just started to air in countries such as Germany and China. “I do hope the sentiments expressed by 'The Clangers'—ones of kindness and mutual respect—will ultimately travel far and wide across our own planet,” he said. “It’s a message we all need right now.”

Crowdfunding is currently underway for the book, with 45% of its target already achieved.