Shingai Shoniwa is voicing a character in a new children's TV show

Noisettes' singer Shingai Shoniwa says voicing the role of a children's TV character has made her more creative.

The frontwoman, famous for her outlandish stage outfits, has recorded the character of Teal for the CBeebies show The Adventures of Abney and Teal. She said her character, who lives in a hut with just her bed and an umbrella, in the partly hand-drawn show, had opened up a "creative porthole", adding: "I really love her (Teal's) playfulness."The way she sings all the time and makes up games, reminds me of myself when I was a little girl."

The Adventures of Abney & Teal is the latest series from award-winning children's television producers, Ragdoll Productions and airs daily on CBeebies, a children's alternative to BBC.
 
Abney and Teal live on an island in the middle of a lake, in the middle of a park, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the big city.  They share their island with a group of friendly and hilarious characters and together they are always ready for adventure.  It is funny and timeless, with a contemporary yet nostalgic, literary feel, combined with the urban-edge of its inner city park environment.

Upstairs Downstairs actor Adrian Scarborough narrates the new show and is the voice of Abney, who lives below Teal's tree in a hut in the middle of an urban park. The actor - Mr Pritchard in Upstairs Downstairs - described his character as "a class act" who is a little bit "wacky".

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