Badjelly the Witch
Encyclopedia
Badjelly the Witch is a brief handwritten, illustrated story by Spike Milligan
, created for his children, then printed in 1973. It was made into an audio and a video version.
In the story, two children, looking for their lost cow, meet magical enchanted forest characters. They are captured by Badjelly the witch, then rescued by an eagle. God intervenes as they escape, and the witch is destroyed when she attempts to "scratch God's eye out". The characters enchanted by Badjelly are rescued.
In 1975, in the planning for an audio version for the BBC "infant's programme" Let's Join In, Milligan objected to the planned removal of God from the story. The BBC wrote in a letter that the object is not to put God on the same level as goblins, to which Milligan replied that goblins, fairies and God all exist. However, he allowed God to be removed.
and Ragdoll Productions
had collaborated on a film based on this novel in December 2000. Spike Milligan, the book's writer, narrated the movie.
called "Badjelly's Bad Christmas", with Badjelly the Witch, along with many other characters created by Milligan such as Sir Nobonk and King Twytt, as the main characters.
Spike Milligan
Terence Alan Patrick Seán "Spike" Milligan Hon. KBE was a comedian, writer, musician, poet, playwright, soldier and actor. His early life was spent in India, where he was born, but the majority of his working life was spent in the United Kingdom. He became an Irish citizen in 1962 after the...
, created for his children, then printed in 1973. It was made into an audio and a video version.
In the story, two children, looking for their lost cow, meet magical enchanted forest characters. They are captured by Badjelly the witch, then rescued by an eagle. God intervenes as they escape, and the witch is destroyed when she attempts to "scratch God's eye out". The characters enchanted by Badjelly are rescued.
In 1975, in the planning for an audio version for the BBC "infant's programme" Let's Join In, Milligan objected to the planned removal of God from the story. The BBC wrote in a letter that the object is not to put God on the same level as goblins, to which Milligan replied that goblins, fairies and God all exist. However, he allowed God to be removed.
Film
CBBCCBBC
CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14...
and Ragdoll Productions
Ragdoll Productions
Ragdoll Productions is a UK company that produces children's television shows. It was founded in 1984 by Anne Wood, who later devised many of their television series, seen in 111 countries and translated into 41 languages.Before 1984, Ragdoll's founder Anne Wood made children's programmes for...
had collaborated on a film based on this novel in December 2000. Spike Milligan, the book's writer, narrated the movie.
Theatre
In 2010/11, there was a production created by the Chickenshed Theatre CompanyChickenshed
Chickenshed is a British theatre company based in Cockfosters, London. It was founded in 1974 in a disused chicken shed by Mary Ward and Jo Collins. The company produces theatrical and musical productions, performed by children, teenagers and adults of all backgrounds and abilities...
called "Badjelly's Bad Christmas", with Badjelly the Witch, along with many other characters created by Milligan such as Sir Nobonk and King Twytt, as the main characters.
See also
- Sir Nobonk and the Terrible Dreadful Awful Naughty Nasty DragonSir Nobonk and the Terrible Dreadful Awful Naughty Nasty DragonSir Nobonk and the Terrible Dreadful Awful Naughty Nasty Dragon is a 1982 comedy novel written by Spike Milligan, and the fourth picture book by Milligan after The Bald Twit Lion, Badjelly the Witch and Dip the Puppy.- Overview :The story of Sir Nobonk is a generic parody of Medieval-type...
, a similar novel also written by Spike MilliganSpike MilliganTerence Alan Patrick Seán "Spike" Milligan Hon. KBE was a comedian, writer, musician, poet, playwright, soldier and actor. His early life was spent in India, where he was born, but the majority of his working life was spent in the United Kingdom. He became an Irish citizen in 1962 after the...