Jangles

1 9 8 2 (UK)
7 x 30 minute episodes

Hazel O’Connor starred in this short-lived teen soapie set in a nightclub called Jangles, managed by Les (Brian Croucher), who looked like a reject from Mud.

O’Connor played a headstrong schoolgirl called Joanne who dreamed of being a pop star. She would perform a song or two each episode, usually accompanied by a Casio. Jesse Birdsall played her unemployed boyfriend, Steve.

A character called Herald (David Delve) would turn up in a ringmaster jacket, funny hat and clown makeup from time to time – amidst some fancy (for the time) visual effects – to explain (through a vocoder) what was happening in the story.

There wasn’t much plot to speak of – just brief vignettes of (mostly angst-ridden) dialogue interspersed with lots of dancing to music from The Stranglers, Spandau Ballet, Madness, Altered Images, Fun Boy Three, Bananarama, Motörhead and Black Sabbath (!).

The show was produced by HTV.

Joanne
Hazel O’Connor
Steve
Jesse Birdsall
Herald
David Delve
Les
Brian Croucher
Mary
Julia Gale
Lydia Oaten
Sue Nicholls
Robin Oaten
Conrad Phillips
Gary
Tony Britts
Dave
Marcus Francis
Jenny
Lowri Ann Richards
Michelle
Saiward Green
Lil
Yvonne D’Alpra
Arthur
Ivor Salter