The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope

Subject: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: BanjoRay
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 07:22 AM

The afternoon play on BBC radio 4 yesterday (wed 30/3/11) was a superb true story about my friends Dave and Jenny Pope, and will be on the BBC Iplayer for a week. Music content: Dave's a great singer, guitar and fiddle player from Mossley, Manchester, who wrote and performed the lovely song that opens the play.

Ray

Details from the BBC website:

The Disappearance of Jennifer Pope
by Mike Harris in collaboration with Dave and Stefan Pope
The extraordinary true story of the disappearance of an English nurse in Ecuador, and how her husband and son tracked down her abductor. Dave and Stefan Pope spend a year in a country fraught with poverty and corruption, where they barely speak the language, with next to no money. But with heaps of determination and good will from a few key characters they eventually reap the rewards of justice.

Dave Pope ...... Reece Dinsdale
Stefan Pope ..... Matthew McNulty
Jennifer Pope ..... Kate Layden
Marco Chaves .... Oliver Miceli
Clifford Craig/Hostel Owner ...... David Fleeshman
Fiscal of Banos ...... Javiar Marzan
Produced/Directed by Pauline Harris

Further info
In September 2005 Jenny Pope takes a year off to go back packing alone in South America because she believes her marriage is over. Dave has been living in the shed prior to this for the last 18 months. But they keep in touch by e-mail and, gradually, separation brings them back together again - their love is reignited. By the time Jennifer reaches Ecuador she's brought her flight forward as she's missing husband and son. But in January 2006, suddenly her e-mails stop and her credit cards are emptied. Dave and Jenny's 20 year old son Stefan go to Banyos in Ecuador, to find out what happened. They soon realise that the prime suspect is the security guard at the last hostel Jenny stayed; a man with a violent past who carries a gun and a machette in his car, who's bank account deposits match exactly those of Jennifers withdrawals. A poignant and life affirming story of how a father and son's loss and confusion is channelled into energy and determination to find justice for their beloved wife and mother.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: BanjoRay
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 08:03 AM

More music content: Dave Pope plays sousaphone for the the Biggles Wartime Band that some of you may have seen at Glastonbury.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: Little Robyn
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 06:17 PM

Was she killed?
I don't know the story - it didn't make the news over here.
It sounds terrible.
Robyn

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: s&r
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 06:44 PM

I listened to the play and found it compelling, The guitar/vocal track is exquisite. Is it anywhere on the web?

Stu

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: BanjoRay
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 08:14 PM

Robyn - Her body was never found, but Dave and Stefan found enough convincing evidence to get a youth hostel security man convicted of kidnapping, and sentenced to 25 years.
Stu - you can hear the track Pieces Of My Heart here. I agree - it's exquisite. Dave's a lovely singer and player.

Ray

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: s&r
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 09:24 AM

Thanks Ray

Stu

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 09:31 AM

Thanks for posting Ray, I'd no idea that Dave had even gone to Ecuador never mind discovered who the culprit was. I've not seen Dave for around 30 years since he played bass on a record we made back in the good old days.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: BanjoRay
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 06:26 PM

I'll keep this refreshed while the BBC play is still available.

Ray

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 11:52 AM

I heard it. It was indeed moving, and I am full of admiration for Dave and Stefan Pope -- what an ordeal! But they didn't give up. I was very impressed by the song, too -- it's lovely.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: BanjoRay
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 04:42 AM

Up to the top for the last time.

Ray

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 06:09 AM

Thanks so much for this thread, Ray. Going to listen to the drama shortly.

If you're searching for it in the Radio 4 iPlayer programme listings, remember to look under "A" because the series is called "Afternoon Play". It lasts for 45 minutes and will be on for 3 more days (from Sunday). Here's a clickie:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qrzz

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 06:11 AM

And, being radio and not telly, it should be available world-wide.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: greg stephens
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 07:26 AM

Dave's music was great: but don't overlook Stefan's very memorable and splendid Takes a Worried Man. An extraordinary story and well-told.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 09:49 AM

Just finished listening. Simply brilliant. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a true story, not a tightly-constructed work of detective fiction. Fine music too.

Ray - What are Dave & Stefan doing now? (And whaddya mean refresh the thread "for the very last time"?! No way! Not till it's off the iPlayer...)

Thanks again.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: greg stephens
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 01:04 PM

Dave and Stefan I hope will be playing at Glastonbury, they always do. Stefan sings his own songs, Dave plays with Biggles Wartime Band, and ith Stefan, and generally joins the Boat Band for our gig on the Croissant Neuf stage. Both top class musicians.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: BanjoRay
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 07:44 PM

I've yet to meet Stefan, but I've known Dave for maybe ten years and played a lot of sessions with him at various bluegrass festivals. I've seen him a few times since he came back from Equador, and I'd say he's doing fine..... better than I'd be doing for sure.

Ray

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: BanjoRay
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 07:29 PM

Once more it is, then

Ray

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 04:38 PM

18 hours left.... startinnnnnnng... NOW

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 04:40 PM

9:38 pm British time (5 hours ahead of MudStandard Time), 8 hours ahead of Joe Offer Time

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 03:32 PM

I thought it was moving and (having known Dave for twenty-something years) very authentic sounding. I spoke to Dave shortly after it was transmitted, and he was clearly satisfied with it as a production, and glad that the information about the family's experiences had been made public in order that the friends, acquaintances and total strangers who had helped with the fund-raising effort should be able to hear the whole story.

Dave is a terrific musician on several instruments, and one of the very best singers I've ever known - he could have had a successful career in music had he so chosen. Stef is a real talent too.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 05:25 PM

I've downloaded it, so if anyone missed it and is desperate to hear it, PM me.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 04:09 PM

I missed the end of the play I also missed the start so was unaware it was a true story

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: GUEST,Fran
Date: 19 Feb 16 - 12:38 PM

It is on bbc radio iplayer again now.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: GUEST,Fran
Date: 19 Feb 16 - 12:49 PM

Banjoray I did not know about this happening to dave! I worked with him in the 80's and last saw him at a bluegrass music festival in the 90's. any way to get in touch with him?

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: Brian Peters
Date: 19 Feb 16 - 01:12 PM

PM me, Fran. Dave is an old friend and bandmate, and I see him pretty regularly at a local old-time jam.

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 19 Feb 16 - 02:18 PM

Only available for a day or two

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zsjys

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: GUEST,Fran
Date: 29 Feb 16 - 07:03 PM

Not sure how to pm you Brian on this site! Have emailed joe to find out... I am on FB if dave is? Tell him 8th day, skydiver, think he'll remember me!

Subject: RE: The Disappearance Of Jennifer Pope
From: maeve
Date: 29 Feb 16 - 07:24 PM

Only members can send PMs, Brian. Joe will make the connection for Fran, I am sure.