Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Cue The Tantrums! | 19970612 | 20161222 (BBC7) 20161223 (BBC7) 20230710 (BBC7) 20230711 (BBC7) 20260102 (BBC7) 20260103 (BBC7) |  Opera Sunderland has a tradition of performing a new work every season - 'its umbilical cord to civilisation'. However instead of staging innovative gay opera 'St Sebastien', managing director Dwight Gaggenheim opts for 'West Side Story' instead! No wonder the tempers and egos of a plethora of opera-types come bubbling to the surface! Comedy drama in five parts written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles Derek ....... Andrew Branch Keyboard Ken ....... Tom Miles Cilla ....... Carolyn Bonnyman Gareth ....... Godfrey James James ....... Simon Butteriss Natasha ....... Caz Weller Dwight ....... Jonathan Kydd Alison Porter Ian Bloomfield Producer Chris Neill Opera Sunderland faces disarray by opting for 'West Side Story' over a gay opera. Tempers and egos flare as Opera Sunderland opts for 'West Side Story' over an innovative gay opera. Stars Godfrey James. From 1997. However, when managing director Dwight Gaggenheim opts for West Side Story over innovative gay opera St Sebastien, the tempers and egos of a plethora of opera types come bubbling to the surface. Tempers and egos flare as Opera Sunderland opts for West Side Story over a gay opera. Tempers and egos flare as Opera Sunderland opts for West Side Story over an innovative gay opera. With Godfrey James. From June 1997. |
| 02 | Complications | 19970619 | 20161229 (BBC7) 20161230 (BBC7) 20230717 (BBC7) 20230718 (BBC7) 20260109 (BBC7) 20260110 (BBC7) | Opera Sunderland's production of Carmen continues apace. However, an outbreak of blackmail, nodules on the throat and a bargain-basement battle leave the cast rather preoccupied. Comedy drama series written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles. Derek ....... Andrew Branch Keyboard Ken ....... Tom Miles Cilla ....... Carolyn Bonnyman Gareth ....... Godfrey James James ....... Simon Butteriss Natasha ....... Caz Weller Dwight ....... Jonathan Kydd Alison Porter Benjamin Davies Producer: Chris Neill Blackmail and throat nodules plague the cast of Opera Sunderland's Carmen. Blackmail and throat nodules plague the cast of Opera Sunderland's production of Carmen. Stars Simon Butteriss. From June 1997. The mishaps and adventures of the performers at Opera Sunderland Blackmail and throat nodules plague the cast of Opera Sunderland's production of Carmen. With Simon Butteriss. From June 1997. |
| 03 | Flushing Out Talent | 19970626 | 20170105 (BBC7) 20170106 (BBC7) 20230724 (BBC7) 20230725 (BBC7) 20260116 (BBC7) 20260117 (BBC7) | Should local council cash be spent on Opera Sunderland, or a public convenience? Comedy drama series written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles. Derek - Andrew Branch Keyboard Ken - Tom Miles Cilla - Carolyn Bonnyman Gareth - Godfrey James James - Simon Butteriss Natasha - Caz Weller Dwight - Jonathan Kydd Claire Long - Sally Grace Alison Porter Benjamin Davies Producer: Chris Neill Should local council cash be spent on Opera Sunderland, or a chemical-flush public convenience? Stars Godfrey James. From June 1997. Should local council cash be spent on Opera Sunderland, or a public loo? Should local council cash be spent on Opera Sunderland, or a chemical-flush public convenience? Stars Godfrey James. From 1997. |
| 04 | Prima Donna On Tour | 19970703 | 20170112 (BBC7) 20170113 (BBC7) 20230731 (BBC7) 20230801 (BBC7) 20260123 (BBC7) 20260124 (BBC7) | Staging opera can be an exhausting and chaotic business. Keyboard Ken collapses and has to be rushed to hospital while Natasha, Opera Sunderland's prima donna, tours pubs, clubs and local radio stations trying to drum-up an audience. Comedy drama series written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles. Natasha ....... Caz Weller James ....... Simon Butteriss Derek ....... Andrew Branch Gareth ....... Godfrey James Dwight ....... Jonathan Kydd Keyboard Ken ....... Tom Miles Cilla ....... Carolyn Bonnyman Kathryn Jenkin Jochem van Ast Music by Tom Miles and Georges Bizet Producer: Chris Neill Keyboard Ken collapses, while Natasha tours pubs to drum-up trade. Keyboard Ken collapses, while Opera Sunderland's prima donna tours pubs to drum-up trade. Stars Caz Weller. From July 1997. |
| 05 | First Night Frights | 19970710 | 20170119 (BBC7) 20170120 (BBC7) 20230807 (BBC7) 20230808 (BBC7) 20260130 (BBC7) 20260131 (BBC7) | The first night of Carmen is nigh. The cast's tensions are mounting. Natasha resorts to verbal abuse, James finds succour in emotional flooding techniques, and Gareth seeks solace in whisky. Comedy drama series written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles. Derek - Andrew Branch Keyboard Ken - Tom Miles Cilla - Carolyn Bonnyman Gareth - Godfrey James James - Simon Butteriss Natasha - Caz Weller Dwight - Jonathan Kydd Alison Porter Ian Bloomfield Producer Chris Neill First night nerves for Carmen means Natasha gets verbal. With first night nerves for Carmen, Natasha resorts to verbal abuse and Gareth turns to whisky. Stars Godfrey James. From 1997. The cast's tensions are mounting - Natasha resorts to verbal abuse, James finds succour in emotional flooding techniques, and Gareth seeks solace in whisky. With first night nerves for Carmen, Natasha resorts to verbal abuse and Gareth turns to whisky. Stars Godfrey James. From July 1997. |