Trapped! (TV series)
Trapped! is a 2007–2010 children's Halloween-themed adventure game show that was broadcast on BBC channels from 28 September 2007 to 4 November 2010.
| Trapped! (2007-2010 TV series) | |
|---|---|
 Trapped Titlecard | |
| Also known as | Trapped!: Ever After (2010) |
| Genre | Children's television series |
| Created by | Rob Hyde |
| Directed by | James Morgan |
| Presented by | Simon Greenall |
| Starring | Simon Greenall Eve Karpf (2007) Faith Brown (2008–10) Olly Pike |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 52 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 25 minutes per episode (approx.) |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC One (28 September - 21 December 2007) CBBC Channel (10 July 2008 - 4 November 2010) |
| Picture format | 16:9 |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 28 September 2007 – 4 November 2010 |
Plot
The show is set in a dark, six-floor gothic fairy tale tower which, from the opening titles, is situated on a small island in the middle of the sea. Every episode is introduced by "The Caretaker" (Simon Greenall), a former world traveler who, according to the story, only came there for one good night's sleep but was imprisoned there by "The Voice" (performed by Eve Karpf and Faith Brown). To earn his freedom, the Caretaker must trap as many children (referred to in the show as "Unfortunates") as the Voice deems worthy.
Six children compete on each episode and are brought to the tower by another captive, "Wiley Sneak" (voiced vocally by Olly Pike). The children begin at the top of the tower and must journey to the bottom; one child is eliminated or "trapped" on each floor, and the last one remaining receives the "Key of Freedom" and escapes. Sequestered in the attic, the Caretaker offers narration and instructions while viewing the events through the "Watch Tank," a large globe mounted within a frame that gives a 360° overhead view of the relevant portion of the tower.
Trapped! (2007–2009)
Each contestant is given an earpiece receiver, or "Whisper Clip," that they must wear during the competition. Each floor of the tower poses a different challenge to the team, demonstrated by Wiley while the Caretaker provides instructions through both live commentary and pre-recorded voiceover. Before each challenge begins, one contestant is informed via their Whisper Clip that they have been chosen to act as a "Saboteur," and must try to make the team fail without being detected by the others.
If the team passes the challenge, the Saboteur becomes trapped on that floor and the others move down through the tower. If the team fails, each contestant casts one vote as to the Saboteur's identity; the one who receives the most votes becomes trapped, whether or not they were the Saboteur. A straw draw is used in the event of a tie, and the one who draws the shortest straw is trapped.
The last two contestants compete in "The Fight for Freedom," a timed quiz consisting of alternating questions that tests their recall of the events of the episode. When time runs out, the high scorer wins the game and uses the Key of Freedom to leave the tower.
Trapped!: Ever After (2010)
For 2010, changes were made to the format of the programme, particularly in areas of themes, the games and interaction with the Unfortunates. As well as introducing a brand new attic for the Caretaker, recaps were made of previously trapped unfortunates on higher floors of the tower and the appearance of the Voice was revised. The final round was revised to put both contestants on a four-step path toward the Key of Freedom; a correct answer allowed a contestant to advance one step, while a miss allowed the opponent to do so. The first one to reach the Key became the winner.
Music
The music is written by Dobs Vye, a composer who specialises in writing for television.
Cast and crew
Voice Cast
- Simon Greenall as The Caretaker (all episodes)
- Eve Karpf as The Voice (Series 1 only)
- Faith Brown as The Voice (Series 2–4)
- Olly Pike as Wiley Sneak (all episodes)
- Helen Evans as Madame Deux Visage, Miss Mutternot, Ethel the Witch and Crowman
- Eloise Dale as Midnight Bride and Frozen Princess
- Sophie-Louise Dann as Evil Granny
- Jolana Lee as Split Ends
- Dusty Limits as The Marriage Man
- Djalenga Scott as Esmé the Creature Transformer and Scarlett the Wolf Hunter
- Kiran Shah as The Grimble
- Peter Wardell as The One-Eyed Watcher and Boris the Organist
- Leisha Wickham as Millicent
- Brian Wheeler as the Baby Botherer
- Matthew Wren as the Moonhowler
Crew
- Director – James Morgan
- Producer and Creator – Rob Hyde
- Writers – Carl Carter and Tony Cooke
- Art Director – Catherine Land
- Set Design – Richard Drew
- Lighting Director – James Campbell
Transmissions
| Series | Start date | End date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 September 2007 | 21 December 2007 | 13 |
| 2 | 10 July 2008 | 2 October 2008 | 13 |
| 3 | 2 January 2009 | 27 March 2009 | 13 |
| 4 | 18 October 2010 | 4 November 2010 | 13 |