Button Moon - Production

Production

Button Moon was originally conceived by Ian Allen as a stage show for Playboard Puppets in 1978. Allen adapted it into a TV series for Thames two years later. The first series of thirteen programmes was transmitted in 1980. A further six series of thirteen programmes followed, making a total of ninety-one different Button Moon adventures. The series was repeated on a yearly basis for Thames TV up until 1988. All 91 episodes have been shown on satellite channel UK Gold since spring 1993.

Narration was by Robin Parkinson. Puppeteers included Ian Allen, John Thirtle, Alistair Fullarton, Sue Dacre, Chris Leith, Judith Bucklow, Ian Brown, Tony Holthamand, and others. The incidental music for the series was written by Peter Goslin.

The show had a typically 1980s synthetic, catchy & melancholy theme tune that was composed and performed by Peter Davison and Sandra Dickinson, who were married at the time. They are best known for their roles as the Doctor (from Doctor Who), and Trillian (from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), respectively.

There was also a live stage show which ran during the late 1980s and the early 1990s. The stage show was popular at many theatres including the Woodville Halls in Gravesend, Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, King George's Hall in Blackburn, The Hexagon in Reading, The White Rock Theatre in Hastings and the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon.

The song's full lyrics were:

(opening credits)

We're off to Button Moon, we'll follow Mr. Spoon,

Button Moon, Button Moon.

(closing credits)

We've been to Button Moon, we've followed Mr. Spoon,

Button Moon, Button Moon. We've been to Button Moon,

Button Moon x 4, Be back soon! Button Moon.