New TV Drama about Northern Soul

[Guest]

Caught the last 10 minutes of a program on cable television this morning about a TV Drama being filmed by Granada Television that's planned for next summer. There was an actor being interviewed who has leading part in it. I didn't catch his name but I recognize him from 2 recent souls nights at Bury Soul Club & Prestwich Soul Club.

He looks the exact spitting image of that comedian 'Johnny Vegas' but not as big. Anyway . . . he's apparently an old school Northern Fan who's back on the scene researching his role.

Been looking around websites for more info to show you a link but can't find anything yet

Has there been documentaries of any note on TV ever about Northern Soul over the years? Someone said something about a dvd that's out but reckons it's very poor.

[Ady Croasdell]

There was a stinker of a play about Wigan in the 80s where the main geezer came on all sexy in the Casino and half-raped the heroine. He must have got his Viagara prototype mixed up with his blueys. It was incredibly bad in every respect, and went out on one of the terrestrial channels as satellite wasn't around, so it would have had a lot of viewers. I think it was probably over PC even for that time, in that it's theme was all men are bastards.

Ady

[Guest]

I remember that play, It was called "Out On The Floor" written by Debbie Horsfield who writes the Cutting It series. These also have a few Wigan anecdotes. I think the main character was concieved in the carpark.

[lisahurley]

I think the main character was concieved in the carpark.

Has anybody else got a story about being concieved in "that" car-park?

[Guest in town Mikey]

Would love to get the Wigan Play on DVD. Thought it was about as good as anything I have seen about N Soul.

I was concieved in the great freeze in Jan/Feb 1963. Seems like a good thing to do to keep warm when snowed in.

Hope it wasnt in a car park tho ;-) (sorry mum xx)

[Mike]

just catching up with posting up stuff that have been sent and just seen theres word of a new documentary coming out in news that just posted from Stevie Cato, its up in news bit

[Little-stevie]

My mum told me that she got pregnant at a bus stop after having one too many Gin/ Lemons...Its funny,thats the only drink apart from beer that i like...OOOOH ROMANCE..My mum was also born in an air raid shelter with the German bombers dropping there shit over my town..Its like the start of a great book, what do you think Lisa?????Do you get off on carparks...

[Guest Johnny One Trout]

just catching up with posting up stuff that have been sent and just seen theres word of a new documentary coming out in news that just posted from Stevie Cato, its up in news bit

I watched it the other night withg my darling wife who had been sent the promo prior to the official unveiling and it really is good!!! Footage of the Horace bloke sounding more like John Peel than John Peel himself, Keb McMad, Steve Cato, Pat Brady Russ Wankstainly quite a few talking heads (Paul Smith, Stuart Patterson etc) and a totally brilliant cameo from Geno Washington who obviously got his venues mixed up talking about all night drinking and all night live artists at the CASINO!! makes me laugh just thinking about it now. Lots of unseen (by me) footage of the dancers at Wigan (Looks like unused footage from this england to me) all really good quality footage all in all one of the best documentary's of it's type that i have seen. I'm sure if you wanted to you could pull it to pieces for various reasons but i thought it was great ;o))

It's by the same people as the "Function at the Junction" and that short filum is included on the DVD as well so you can Check Steve out bustin' some Moves ;o)))

The Soundtrack is pretty good as well i will post it up later on ;o))

John

[jazzyjas]

Ady,

Just recently got "Out on the Floor" included on a DVD from Pete Smith. Dreadful watch indeed. But the thing that I would like to know is-where was it filmed? Pete believes that it was Wigan Casino, but judging from photos that I've seen, it seemed a bit of a smaller room than that. I'd like to know just for my own personal reference. Actually the only reason that I kept watching was for the interiors of the hall. Definitely a painful show, though. Seems like it was made as an after school special to serve as some public service announcent to stay off drugs. A few good songs play in the background and some dreadful ones too. They must have been working from one Grapevine LP to get all of the music. The lead girl was kind of cute, though. A disservice to northern soul, though. At least they don't use the term in their dialogue.

Your show about Cleethorpes with Doris Troy was brilliant, though. Really enjoyed that one.

[wendy]

There was a stinker of a play about Wigan in the 80s where the main geezer came on all sexy in the Casino and half-raped the heroine.  It was incredibly bad in every respect. I think it was probably over PC even for that time, in that it's theme was all men are bastards.

Ady

hahaha. there was a book out about 4 or 5 years ago with a similar theme! I cant remember what it was called but it was a black cover with a drawing of a scooter on it. Each chapter was named after a well known northern tune. It managed to be racist, sexist, classist, homophobic...and just utterly utterly awful. and it has a rape at the end too! coincidence?? all i can say is it was the worst birthday present ever. I'm so pleased I cant remember the name of it....

r.e. TV etc - there was some Irish soap thing last year which included a character that was a northern soul dj. I didnt watch it. maybe honest john or paulie can give you the details??

[Guest Johnny One Trout]

The CD that accompanies that new documentary "SOUL FUNCTION" released by Virgin in early October sometime i think anyway here's the track list

Soul Function

1. Royal Esquires - Ain't gonna run

2. Calvin Grayson - You've got to be willing

3. Dave Charles - Ain't gonna cry no more

4. Doris Troy - Face up to the truth

5. Harry Deal & Galaxies - I still love you

6. Kinki Dee - Magic carpet ride

7. Nancy Butts - I want to hold your hand

8. Charles Mann - Sho Nuff no funny stuff

9. Soulful Twins - Can't let you go

10. Steve Mancha - Friday night

11. Enchanters - Theres a look about you

12 Lela Martin - You can't have your cake

13. Willy McDougal - Don't turn away

14. Bobby Jonz - Win your love

15. Clay Hunt - Your loves gone bad

16. Emmit Long - Call me

17. Judy Street - What

18. Mylestones - The Joker

19. Mojo - Let's get ugly

20. Tommy Neal - Going to a happening

Cheers n gone

John

[Guest Johnny One Trout]

hahaha. there was a book out about 4 or 5 years ago with a similar theme! I cant remember what it was called but it was a black cover with a drawing of a scooter on it. Each chapter was named after a well known northern tune. It managed to be racist, sexist, classist, homophobic...and just utterly utterly awful. and it has a rape at the end too! coincidence?? all i can say is it was the worst birthday present ever. I'm so pleased I cant remember the name of it....

r.e. TV etc - there was some Irish soap thing last year which included a character that was a northern soul dj. I didnt watch it. maybe honest john or paulie can give you the details??

It was called Cracked up over you

[Guest]

r.e. TV etc  - there was some Irish soap thing last year which included a character that was a northern soul dj. I didnt watch it. maybe honest john or paulie can give you the details??

The drama was "The Big Bow Wow" and most of the Dublin Soul Crew were in it as extras. They used a kent release every week as lead in and play out music. Granada supposedly bought it to show in the UK at some point. Acting was a bit iffy but there was all the usual sex drugs and rock and roll.

Mark T

Dublin