Bull Week (BBC-1 1980, Mark McManus, Terence Rigby)

Drama series Bull Week took us into the diversions that are threatening to tear apart a car factory in the midlands. Brothers Danny, Eddie and Johnny Kowal are key figures in the running of the factory. Danny and Eddie in the offices and Johnny something of an agitator on the shop floor, acting as union official for the workers.

The action takes place during the factory’s Bull Week, a time when it is all hands on deck, working extra hard to earn big bonuses before the factory shuts down for a holiday break. Matters are brought to an head following an accusation of theft which pits shop floor against the office!

Strong of dialogue and with great performances from the likes of Mark McManus and Terence Rigby and a finale that takes place during the firm’s annual boxing tournament, Bull Week is all but forgotten these days but is easily the equal of similar shows like The Brothers or Driving Ambition. Writer Hutchinson’s next project was the much better remembered Bird Of Prey.

The episode titles followed the days of the week from Monday through to Saturday.

production details
UK / BBC 1 / 6×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 1 May – 5 June 1980

Writer: Ron Hutchinson / Music: Glenn Swanborough / Producer: Michael Wearing / Directors: Philip Dudley, Carol Wilks

cast
MARK McMANUS as Johnny Kowal
PHILIP MARTIN BROWN as Eddie Kowal
TERENCE RIGBY as Danny Kowal
CZESLAW GROCHOLSKI as Mr Kowal
STEPHANIE FAYERMAN as Donna Kowal
NORMAN JONES as Hilditch
DAVE ATKINS as Fat Freddy Armadale
FREDDIE JONES as General-Secretary Dronfield
FORBES COLLINS as Sanders
MILTON JOHNS as Edgecott
PATRICK GALLMORE as Mrs Hilditch
JAMES DUGGAN as Greer
PHIL McCALL as Alick
DAVID LELAND as Ferguson
JANE GALLOWAY as Secretary
TARA SOPPET as Jean
STANLEY LEBOR as Dawson
ROBERT VAHEY as Chase
KENNETH HADLEY as Police Constable
GRAHAM WESTON as C.I.D. Man
SEVA DHALIVAAL, KISHORE CHANDEGRA as Indian Labourers