Staines Down Drains

Production

The show was the brainchild of Jim Mora from Hothouse Production and Brent Chambers from Flux Animation, working with Traction Inc. Traditional animation was handled by Flying Bark Productions and Flux, with Studio 100 providing distribution support. The voice cast included Sarah Aubrey, Keith Scott, Drew Forsythe, Jane U'Brien, and Rachel King. Michael Lira wrote the music, earning an APRA-AGSC Screen Music Award for Best Television Theme, and his work on the episode "Pipe Dreams" was up for Best Music for Children's Television.

The first season premiered in November 2006. A New Zealand version swapped the Staines family's voices for Tara Maher, Michèle A'Court, and Jackie Clarke. A second season was announced in late 2009, with shorter 11-minute episodes made using Adobe Flash. The voice team then included Maher, A'Court, Clarke, Richard Simpson, David Weatherley, and Frank Whitten.

This season was expected to wrap up by the end of 2010, but it was scrapped for reasons that were never explained. Only one episode, "Fool's Gold," remains online, featuring the Chesdale mascots Ches and Dale.

Main characters

Stanley Staines is an 11-year-old boy with a fear of germs. He tries to stick to a routine and avoid anything unusual, worried that his phobia might keep him from visiting Drainland. His sister Mary-Jane, along with Herk and Blobert, encourages him. In Australia, Sarah Aubrey provides his voice; in New Zealand, Tara Maher does.

Synopsis

Mary-Jane Staines, age 9, is brave, clever, and loves adventure. She often assists Stanley with problems in Drainland and has a fierce rivalry with Gretel, whom she argues with frequently. Rachel King voices her in Australia, and Michèle A'Court in New Zealand. Betty Staines, the mother of Stanley and Mary-Jane, is a bit scatterbrained.

She constantly tries new careers and usually makes a mess of them. Jane U'Brien voices her in Australia, Jackie Clarke in New Zealand. Vegety Bill is a heroic mutant carrot who protects the plants of Drainworld. He is close friends with Herk and Blobert, and together they battle Dr. Drain and the Gobblers.

Keith Scott voices him in Australia, David Weatherley in New Zealand for episodes 14 through 26. Blobert is a small, purple, one-eyed blob that moves like a slug. He is not very bright and often helps Herk and Vegety. Keith Scott voices him in Australia, Richard Simpson in New Zealand for episodes 14 through 26.

Herk is a small brown hairball who aids Vegety in plant protection and is best friends with Blobert. Jane U'Brien voices him in Australia, Michèle A'Court in New Zealand for episodes 14 through 26. Dr. Drain is an evil dictator who wants to destroy Drainland and build his own empire on its remains. He uses the Gobblers to eliminate the purifying plants.

Drew Forsythe voices him in Australia, David Weatherley in New Zealand for episodes 14 through 26. Gretel is Mary-Jane’s arch-enemy, a spoiled girl who bullies the Staines family. She leads a local gang called the Lupin Lupes, which includes her friends Jack Lupe and Twinky Lupe. Sarah Aubrey voices her.

The Gobblers, named Beef, Beanz, and Bratwurst, are Dr. Drain’s henchmen. In Australia, they are voiced by Drew Forsythe, Rachel King, and Keith Scott; in New Zealand for episodes 14 through 26, by Richard Simpson, Michèle A'Court, and David Weatherley. Jack Lupe and Twinky Lupe are brothers and members of Gretel’s gang, voiced by Drew Forsythe and Keith Scott.

Did You Know?

• Michael Lira's score for the episode "Pipe Dreams" was nominated for Best Music for Children's Television.
• A second season of 13 episodes was announced in 2009 but never produced; only one episode, "Fool's Gold," survives online.