The Beiderbecke Tapes

Infobox Television
show_name = The Beiderbecke Tapes


caption =
aka =
genre = Comedy drama
creator =
writer = Alan Plater
director = Brian Parker
creat_director =
developer =
presenter =
starring = James Bolam
Barbara Flynn
Dudley Sutton
Keith Smith
voices =
narrated =
theme_music_composer = Frankie Trumbauer and Chauncey Morehouse
opentheme = “Cryin' All Day”
endtheme =
composer =
country = UK
language = English
num_seasons =
num_episodes = 2
list_episodes =
executive_producer = David Cunliffe
co_exec =
producer = Michael Glynn
sup_producer =
asst_producer =
cons_producer =
co-producer =
editor =
story_editor =
location =
cinematography =
camera_setup =
runtime =
channel = ITV (Yorkshire Television)
picture_format = Film PAL (576i)
audio_format =
first_run =
first_aired = 13 December 1987
last_aired = 20 December 1987
preceded_by = The Beiderbecke Affair
followed_by = The Beiderbecke Connection
related =
website =
prod_website =
imdb_id = 0092629
tv_com_id =

"The Beiderbecke Tapes" is a two part British television serial written by Alan Plater and broadcast in 1987. It is the second serial in "The Beiderbecke Trilogy" and stars James Bolam and Barbara Flynn as schoolteachers Trevor Chaplin and Jill Swinburne. When a tape recording of a conversation about nuclear waste inadvertently falls into Trevor's hands, Trevor and Jill find themselves being pursued by national security agents.

Plot

Trevor Chaplin teaches woodwork and likes to listen to jazz. Jill Swinburne teaches English and wants to help save the planet. They live together and just want a quiet life. Then they meet John the barman who died but is much better now. John gave them a tape which led to meeting Dave the wimp. They find out about The Peoples Front For The Liberation of west Yorkshire. The man with no name called Mr Peterson came to see them. He was followed by the six men in grey suits. Jill goes to see The Oldest Suffragette In Town. Trevor and Jill go on a trip to Amsterdam with their class from "San Quentin High". Trevor and Jill meet The Honourable Order of Elks who are "looking for a bit of action".

In the same style as the preceding "The Beiderbecke Affair", the plot isn't as important as the banter and interplay between the characters. The adventure unfolds to a soundtrack of jazz music in the style of Bix Beiderbecke performed by Frank Ricotti with Kenny Baker as featured cornet soloist.

Filming Locations

*Jill's House- Norfolk Green, Chapel Allerton, Leeds
*San Quentin High- Foxwood School, Seacroft, Leeds
*The Supermarket- Safeway, Oakwood, Leeds (now Somerfield)
*The Pub- The Haddon Hall, Burley, Leeds
*The Post Office- Horsforth, Leeds
*The Registrars Office- Yeadon Town Hall, Yeadon