|
Wheeltappers and Shunters presented a variety bill ostensibly in the setting
of a Northern 'working man's' club, in fact a rather effective studio set. Acts
performed while the audience, apparently a cross-section of ordinary working
folk, were generally seated at tables, eating and drinking and almost
challenging the acts to entertain them. These clubs were usually affiliated to a
trade union - and sometimes to a particular variety circuit as well.
The idea for the programme came in part from The Comedians (ITV, 1971-74;
1979-80; 1984-85; 1992), which, while trying out different formulae on tour,
featured former bank clerk (and Comedians participant) Colin Crompton in a role
similar to that of Leonard Sachs in The Good Old Days (BBC, 1953-83). His
performance landed him the concert-chairman part, while Bernard Manning -
another from The Comedians - was given the role of compere. Both Manning,
originally a singer with the Oscar Rabin Band (and later to own and run his own
club), and Crompton had worked the northern club circuit, and were genuine
northerners, which added authenticity. As well as their own slots between the
acts, the two tended to interrupt a little more than might happen in a genuine
club set-up, but they were of course part of the show.
The show presented a series of acts, typical of those a northern club would
expect to book - pop-stars and fading artistes, novelty and speciality acts of
every type: Joseph Locke, Cannon and Ball, Paul Daniels, Gene Pitney, Marti
Caine, Bernie Clifton, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Stephan Grapelli and Howard Keel are just some examples.
Attempts to add authenticity included phoney officious notices about
behaviour and dress-codes, 'home-made' poster-style closing titles, shots of
waitresses and bar-staff and photographs of (mainly Labour) politicians and
Royalty on the walls. In the final series, shows featured a single
act.
David Sharp
|
1. A phone call to No. 10 (1:38)
