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Oscar's Orchestra is an animated TV series that was shown on CBBC. It was set in the distant future, and was about a talking piano called Oscar, who rebels against the evil dictator of the world, Thaddius Vent, who has banned music. Oscar and his fellow musical instruments plot against Vent and his henchmen, Lucius and Tank, and his soothsayer, Goodtooth, who always says: 'You screamed, master!'. The voice of Oscar was provided by Dudley Moore.

Other members of the orchestra included Monty the violin, Trevor the tuba, and Eric the triangle. Based on an idea by Jan Younghusband, Oscar's Orchestra was designed to inspire children with the delights of classical music and incorporates famous orchestrated works from the great composers in each episode. Episode titles continue the theme. Hence we have the likes of 'Oscar Cracks A Nut' and 'Bach To The Future'.

Characters

Thaddius Vent

Thaddius Vent is a dictator. He has banned music, and is helped by his hapless sidekicks, Goodtooth, Lucius and Tank. Vent is a small, middle-aged man, who wears a Georgian-style wig. He also talks to his teddy bear, who is called 'Teddy.' Vent's evil schemes are always foiled by Oscar, and his orchestra.

Oscar

Oscar is a blue talking piano, who is a so-called 'illegal instrument.' He is constantly trying to avoid Thadius Vents traps, while still doing the thing he loves, which is playing music. Oscar has a brave, strong personality, and was voiced by Dudley Moore.

Rebbecca and Mr. Crotchet

Rebbecca and her grandfather, Mr. Crotchet, are the only good humans in this story, and they hide Oscar and his Orchestra in their house. They are constantly having to think of new ideas to avoid Thaddius Vent. They used to run a diner before Oscar and his orchestra came into their lives.

Lucius

Lucius is the deputy of Thaddius Vent. He is a small man with green skin, greasy hair and a moustache. Lucius always thinks of new ideas, and patrols the streets of Vienna to find illegal instruments. His pet is Tank, a savage.

Tank

Tank is a savage. He is Lucius' pet, and has pink skin. Tank always helps Lucius with his schemes, but often ruins them because of his non-existent intelligence. Tank sleeps in Lucius' bedroom in Vent's palace, chained to the end of Lucius' bed.

Goodtooth

Goodtooth is Thaddius Vent's soothsayer. He always introduces himself as 'I, Goodtooth, bringer of potions and portents!' Whenever Goodtooth arrives, he frightens Vent, who screams. Then, Goodtooth replies to Vent by saying 'You screamed, master!' Goodtooth is named that because of the fact he only has one, rotten tooth.

Others

Other characters in Oscar's Orchestra are Oscar's orchestra, who comprise of Monty the violin, Eric the triangle, Kevin the Keyboard, Trevor the Tuba, and two cymbals.

Oscar's episodes

Series 1

• The Battle Begins
• Bach to the Future
• The Flight of the Bumble-Bees
• Star Tours
• Battle on Ice
• The Four Seasons
• Oscar Cracks the Nut
• 1812
• Star Crossed
• My Kingdom for a Tank
• Viva Espana
• Once Upon a Ragtime
• The Ring

Series 2

• Queen Sheba
• Radio Oscar
• Forty Thieves
• Back to Bach
• Carnival of the Animals
• Black Keys
• Hall of the Mountain King
• Sleeping Beauty
• A Fight at the Opera
• Fangs but no Fangs
• A Tale of Two Tales
• Four of our Notes
• World Tour

Series 3

• The Lost Chords
• Out of Tune
• Knight in Shining Armour
• Musical Exercise
• Raiders of the Lost Park
• Soothsayer’s Convention
• Water Music
• Return of Scheherazade
• Maestro Thadius
• Inside Job
• Lieder of the Pack
• Greensleeves
• The Toy Symphony

References

• Oscar's Orchestra at IMDb

1. Dudley Moore at IMDb