Animator brings animation back to the city that inspired it

The creator of the stop-motion show MixMups described it as "wonderful" to present her series in the city that inspired its creation. The show, developed by Norwich-born Rebecca Atkinson, follows the adventures of three friends: Pockets, Giggles, and Spin. A total of 52 episodes were broadcast on Channel 5's Milkshake.

All the stories were written in Norwich and drew heavily on Atkinson's own childhood experiences, including trips to Joyland in Great Yarmouth. The series will be featured in a series of screenings at Cinema City in Norwich.

Atkinson commented, "Bringing it back to Norwich feels really special. I wrote every episode here, inspired by my early years... and when we cast the Lucky Loover Bird, we selected a Norwich actor."

The series highlights diversity through its characters: Pockets is visually impaired and uses a guide dog, while Giggles, a cat, has a spinal condition and uses a wheelchair. Atkinson explained on BBC Radio Norfolk, "MixMups centers on magic and play, with a magical wooden spoon at the heart of it, but two characters have disabilities, which shaped the creation of the show."

Norfolk itself is subtly woven throughout the episodes, including a segment featuring striped market stalls inspired by Norwich's markets. Atkinson said, "Growing up in Norwich influenced much of the show. If you watch closely, youll spot nods to Joyland in Great Yarmouth, which was a huge source of inspiration."

She emphasized the importance of featuring a character with a genuine Norfolk accent: "I wanted the national audience to hear a real Norfolk accent, as its unique and rarely showcased. For the Lucky Loover Bird, we auditioned actors nationwide, but we needed someone authentic."

The screenings at Cinema City in Norwich are scheduled for Friday, December 5, Sunday, December 7, and Monday, December 8. Atkinson remarked, "Its been amazing to see the animation enlarged and brought to life on the big screen."

Author: Olivia Parker