Simon Coward: What children’s series had you worked on prior to Ace Of Wands?
Trevor Preston: Prior to Ace of Wands I worked on The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, Professor Brainstawm ...
SC: How was the original idea for the series conceived?
TP: Kids were watching the cop/crime series, so I decided to try and write one for them, a kid's cop/crime.
SC: Was it different to the finished article?
TP: The series turned out very close to the original idea.
SC: Were you involved in the casting? Did you have any actors/actresses in mind for the parts when you were writing them?
TP: I was involved in the casting. I had no actors/actresses in mind. I think Mike Mackenzie did a pretty good job.
SC: Were you involved in suggesting storylines for those episodes written by other writers? Were there story conferences? Did you have any control over the other scripts used?
TP: I was not involved in suggesting storylines for other writers. By this time I was too busy with other work. Also I don't believe in one writer telling another writer how to write. Obviously there were no storyline meetings although scripts were sent to me before production.
SC: Was your original idea for a series of multi-episode stories? How long did you envisage the show running?
TP: My original idea was for a series. I thought it might run to two outings. I thought it was about right as far as its overall running time.
SC: Did it run too long? Or was there plenty of scope left?
TP: Far too many kid's drama series/serials go on and on and on, adult series too, I worked on The Sweeney, it should never have gone into a fourth series, it was exhausted.
SC: For the third series two members of the regular cast changed, the show had a new producer and you wrote none of the stories. Can you shed some light on these changes?
TP: I suppose the cast changes were because the actors wanted a change, didn't want to become type cast, but you would have to ask them that. I really didn't have a great deal to do with the second lot of episodes. I thought some of them were very good, especially those written by P.J. Hammond.
SC: I know the character of Mr. Stabs has been used in two other programmes – "Mr. Stabs" and "Dutch Schlitz’s Shoes". Have any other characters from the series been used elsewhere - either before or since?
TP: I have been asked to write a series around Mr. Stabs, the first one went out as a play in Dramarama a few weeks ago. I haven't used any of the other characters elsewhere.
SC: Did you write the lyrics to the theme song - if so could you let me have a copy of the words?
TP: I did write the lyrics. At the moment I can't find a copy, if I do I will forward them to you.
SC: As "One and One and One are Four" and "The Smile" were never repeated I'm afraid my memories of those two stories are virtually non-existent, could you give me some brief details about them?
TP: It is a very long time ago. I can't remember what they were about ... sorry.
SC: Did you do any special research for the series?
TP: No special research for series. Read a few books on magic.
SC: Which was your favourite story that (a) you wrote and (b) was written by another writer?
TP: My favourite was "Seven Serpents Sulphur and Salt". By another writer ... any of the P.J. Hammond stories.
SC: Were there any episodes written that were never used?
TP: No.
SC: I have been informed that most of the master tapes of the series have now been erased? Were you aware of this?
TP: I was not aware that most of the tapes have been erased.
SC: How do you react to it?
TP: This is typical vandalism by a television company.
SC: Assuming that there are still some complete stories still on tape, do you think the-series would stand up well now., some 14 years since the first episode was first shown?
TP: No. Kids need much more, they have become used to the sheer size and excitement of big screen films ... Star Wars etc.
SC: After all this time, how do you view the series?
TP: How do I view the series? I had a lot of fun making it. They were very nice people to work with.
SC: Was it successful in your opinion?
TP: I think it was very successful in its own small way.
SC: Do you have any particular memories of it?
TP: My fondest memory of it was seeing kids in the street doing "Hand of Stabs" ...
SC: Thank you very much.