Monday, 15 June 2020

What I Don't Understand is This

Mrs. Swinburne (English) & Mr. Chaplin (Woodwork)
'I'm not in a good place at the moment; I don't mean mentally, I'm in the UK.' So said a wag on my Twitter feed yesterday. I know how he feels. I'd probably go one step further: I'm not in a good time; I detest 2020 with every fibre of my being. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't that jazzed about 2019, either. Or 2018. Or even 2017. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

I started re-watching The Beiderbecke Affair last night (I've watched it countless times - it's what I do when I want to retreat from the world; I suppose it's my equivalent of going into stasis).
I'm now immersed in a parallel world comprising woodwork teachers and jazz cornet players. Of cubs football matches played on desolate parks watched by characters called Big Al and Little Norm. A world occupied by platinum blondes. And when I've finished the Beiderbecke Affair, I shall move on to the Beiderbecke Tapes and the Beiderbecke connection. Alan Plater's writing is nothing short of perfect and with James Bolam (the laconic Trevor Chaplin) and Barbara Flynn (English teacher cum conservation activist) heading up the cast, you can see why I shall have to be dragged back into 2020 kicking and screaming.

The Beiderbecke Affair (Intro) - ITV, 1985

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4 comments:

  1. FurryBootsCityBoy15 June 2020 at 20:38

    Loved "The Beiderbecke Affair", especially Terence Rigby as Big Al.

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    1. John Medd16 June 2020 at 11:37

      In the same way I have a favourite book - which I return to often - so it is with Beiderbecke. The story, the cast, the soundtrack...
      I would defy anyone to not be totally wrapped up in it within the first five minutes.

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  2. Alyson15 June 2020 at 23:17

    Very fond memories of this series, and of the music. Think we watched it in my last flat share before we all went our separate ways. Much better watching quality telly with friends. Miss those days.

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    Replies
    1. John Medd16 June 2020 at 11:38

      Three very poignant words there, Alyson: miss those days.
      I know how you feel. Totally.

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