Bergerac: Tangos in the Night (BBC-1 11 Feb 1989, with Hetty Baynes)

In Tangos in the Night the island’s glitterati are busy practicing for the upcoming Tango competition. The organisers are Lady Trowbridge and Rita Smith.

Rita Smith, whose husband is one of the most important men on the island, is part of set of outrageous women who call themselves the Rat Pack. Trouble starts for Jim when Mrs Trowbridge has some diamonds stolen, she has been having a dalliance with her Tango teacher Pepe Mendoza and it looks like he may be prime suspect. However Jim quickly learns that Rita Smith is playing some dangerous games in a bid to stave off boredom.

The “Rat Pack” comes across as somewhat pathetic with their attempts to shock it has to be said but the actual episode itself has some excellent dialogue from John Fletcher, especially on the nature of being trapped on such a small island as Jersey. Whether that be the jet set world of Charlie and the Smiths or the brought up on the island life of Jim. Both Charlie and Jim spend a lot of time reflecting on the changing face of the island.

Alongside Hetty Baynes as Rita the guest players also include Sarah Lawson, Stephen McGann as Pepe (who is really Alan from Liverpool) and Reginald Marsh. Meanwhile Elaine Donnelly and Deborah Farrington play members of the Rat Pack.

Tango music by Teddy Peiro. Jim and Susan brush up on their tango skills.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×55 minute episode / Broadcast 11 February 1989

Writer: John Fletcher / Director: Stuart Urban

Series: Bergerac Season 7 Episode 3

cast
John Nettles as Jim Bergerac
Hetty Baynes as Rita Smith
Elaine Donnelly as Panda
Deborah Farrington as Pat
Deborah Miles as Piggy
Amanda Orton as Gwendoline
Stephen McGann as Pepe
Sarah Lawson as Cynthia Trowbridge
Louise Jameson as Susan Young
Terence Alexander as Hungerford
Reginald Marsh as Arnold Trowbridge
Christopher Strauli as Smith
Sean Arnold as Crozier
Nancy Mansfield as Peggy
John Telfer as Willy Pettit
David Kershaw as Ben Lomas
Sue Wallace as Alice Crozier
Tony Addams as MC