The Beiderbecke Tapes
A tape, a chase, and jazz in Yorkshire.
The second part of The Beiderbecke Trilogy, this 1987 TV serial from Alan Plater runs two episodes. It follows schoolteachers Trevor Chaplin and Jill Swinburne, played by James Bolam and Barbara Flynn. Their lives get complicated when Trevor acquires a tape recording of a discussion about nuclear waste, which causes national security agents to chase them.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Comedy drama
- Writer
- Alan Plater
- Director
- Brian Parker
- Starring
- James Bolam
- Barbara Flynn
- Dudley Sutton
- Keith Smith
- Theme music
- Frankie Trumbauer and Chauncey Morehouse
- Opening theme
- "Cryin' All Day"
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Trevor Chaplin, a woodwork teacher with a fondness for jazz, and Jill Swinburne, an English teacher who wants to protect the environment, share a home and a desire for peace. Their quiet life is disrupted when John the barman, who died but has since recovered, hands them a tape. This leads to an encounter with Dave the wimp and unwanted attention from government security forces. A former bank manager across the street, now defrocked, reports them to the headmaster. They discover the existence of the People's Front for the Liberation of West Yorkshire. Jill consults the Oldest Suffragette in Town. A nameless man called Peterson visits them, and later six men in grey suits ransack their home. Blackmailed by Mr Wheeler into chaperoning a school trip to Amsterdam, they are delayed and miss the students. There, the Honourable Order of Elks, eager for excitement, helps them escape before they are sent back. The tapes turn out to be a fake, part of a disinformation scheme by shady government forces.
Production
The plot is less important than the banter and interplay between characters, in the same style as the preceding The Beiderbecke Affair. The adventure unfolds to a soundtrack of jazz in the style of Bix Beiderbecke, performed by Frank Ricotti with Kenny Baker as featured cornet soloist. Locations include Jill's house at Norfolk Green, Chapel Allerton, Leeds; Trevor in the yellow van at Brudenell Grove, Leeds; and the school scenes at Foxwood School, Seacroft, Leeds, and Moor Grange County Secondary School, Ireland Wood, Leeds. Amsterdam locations include the Estherea Hotel on Singel, bridges and streets such as Leidsegracht, Oude Schans, and Herengracht. Edinburgh scenes were filmed at the Caledonian Hotel, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh Castle, and Victoria Terrace and Lady Stair's Close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in The Beiderbecke Tapes?
The Beiderbecke Tapes stars James Bolam, Barbara Flynn, Dudley Sutton and Keith Smith.
Which network aired The Beiderbecke Tapes?
The Beiderbecke Tapes aired on ITV.
When did The Beiderbecke Tapes first air?
The Beiderbecke Tapes first aired on 13 December 1987.
When did The Beiderbecke Tapes end?
The Beiderbecke Tapes last aired on 20 December 1987.
More in Television Series by Yorkshire Television
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