Balamory

"Balamory" has been around on the BBC for only a couple of years now, but is now a cult children's classic with it's ubiquitous catchphrase, "What's the story in Balamory?". After nearly four series, it looks set to be axed now, which is a pity as it's a colourfully friendly blend of music, frolics and fun.

Made for the under-fives, the series is set in the fictional seaside town of "Balamory" (actually Tobermory, Scotland). The show is narrated by nursery teacher Miss Hoolie (Julie Wilson Nimmo), and features colourful and diverse characters such as Archie the Inventor, Edie McRedie the bus driver, PC Plum, Josie Jump, etc. The cast of characters cast a broad net with black, English, Scottish and disabled all included. Appropriately, attention is never actually drawn to these things so the subconscious message to the children is that it is really all right. I don't think this approach is any way too PC - in a still sometimes prejudicial and ignorant society, it's essential.

The music incorporates different styles of performing that vary from the grating and annoying, to some rather brilliant, contemporary sounds.

Well-aimed at a young audience, "Balamory" will renew itself as a stage show that tours Scotland from December 2004.

Balamory, very politically correct yet is fun for young children. The show starts off with the nursery teacher Miss Hoolie. Then she gets a visitor (usually Josie Jump) who needs help and doesn't know who to see. Then with a song about coloured houses the show begins to take place. The show has a good mix of characters, Archie the Inventer, Spencer the Painter, PC Plum the Policeman, Josie Jump the Fitness Guru, Edie McCredie the bus driver plus Suzie Sweet who runs the sweet shop with her disabled helper Penny Pocket. Mixed with song and dance the best one being Archies song about inventing this show is fun for under six yet those older and adults as well and may find it repetitive and a little too PC.

Balamory is excellent but forget the title song, they added a rock song for each character. The greatest by far is P.C. Plum's song - done in the style of 70's/80's rock, very much a "Queen" tribute. It has Plumy playing on the roof of Buckingham palace. It has visual effects the same as Bohemian Rhapsody. It's a classic rock track. It's fabulous. Fortunately, our four year old likes it too so we pretend we're humouring him and listen to it quite often.

There's a CD too. Buy it. Some of the other songs are good and Archie is always funny, Miss Hoolie is charming, I love that Suzie and Penny are there to help each other, Josie and Spencer don't get the good stories but Edie is always where it's at - she's Miss Hoolies best friend, they went on holiday together the other episode. Brilliant stuff.

Watch out for that plum song. Outstanding.

Balamory is filmed on the scenic Scottish Isle of Mull and through this series, a lot of people of visited its filming locations and is now quite a tourist attraction. The village where this is filmed contains some rather colourful buildings, especially the houses.

It is for younger viewers where we get to see the adventures of PC Plum, Miss Hoolie and company.

It has plenty of rather catchy songs and rhymes, especially the Balamory theme song.

Very entertaining and educational stuff for the under six's. Worth watching just for the scenery and catchy tunes.

Preschoolers will absolutely love this delightful TV series. The sets and locations are extraordinarily colourful, the range of characters are diverse and it is educational as well as fun. I will admit that I saw this regularly when it started airing when I was 10, and I remember liking it, and learning so much from it. It is true though, that the title song mayn't be to people's tastes, I personally am annoyed by it, but the incidental music is lovely. The acting is good too, and the characters are at least endearing.

All in all, Balamory is colourful, educational fun that preschoolers are guaranteed to love. 8/10 on an teenage perspective. Bethany Cox