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    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Television»Shows by Decade»1980s Television
    1980s Television Kids TV Shows B UK TV 2 Mins Read

    Break Point

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    1 9 8 2 (UK)
    6 x 25 minute episodes

    Cockney East End lad Barry Grieves (Ian Barker) was a young tennis player with a promising future in this six-part BBC1 serial. Lucy Roberts (Jane Pearson) – a middle-class girl with the same raw talent – also had dreams of making a name for herself on the courts.

    Both youngsters were equally determined to make it to the top with the help and guidance of their coach and mentor, Frank Abbott (Jeremy Burnham, who also wrote the series and was himself, a former county tennis player).

    As well as taking part in tournaments, Barry and Lucy had to contend with problems at home (Barry’s parents were far from supportive of Barry’s dreams and despised the snobbery around the game).

    15-year-old Ian Barker was a tournament class player from Islington in London, and 13-year-old Jane Pearson from Broxbourne in Hertfordshire was the Herts County Junior Champion and the top player in her age group.

    Both were making their debut as actors.

    Break Point was filmed entirely on location, culminating in a tennis final on the Centre Court at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, home of Britain’s Davis Cup team. Parts of the series were also filmed at the recently opened British indoor tennis training facilities at Bisham Abbey, near Marlow.

    Davis Cup team captain Paul Hutchins was the technical adviser and the theme tune (arguably more suited to a sci-fi production) was provided by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

    Barry Grieves
    Ian Barker
    Frank Abbott
    Jeremy Burnham
    Lucy Roberts
    Jane Pearson
    Mr Grieves
    Stephen Yardley
    Judy Abbott
    Ann Morrish
    Mrs Grieves
    Christine Hargreaves
    Mrs Roberts
    Karin MacCarthy
    Wendy Roberts
    Alison Elliott
    Major Houghton-Jones
    Norman Bird
    Chetwyn
    Dorian Ford
    Mr Roper
    Barry Stokes
    Mr Roberts
    Richard Owens
    Peter Hastings
    John Gillett
    Mr Bousfield
    Geoffrey Russell
    Pam Summers
    Katherine Bromley
    Sally Brewster
    Catherine Chase
    Mr Miller
    Peter Settelen
    Mrs Summers
    Diana Berriman

    Video

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