BBC Arts has ordered a second series of Secrets of the Museum (6 x 60), following the first series shown last year, from Blast! Films for BBC Two.
At a time of national lockdown, when the doors to museums are shut, BBC audiences are once again invited into a hidden world: behind the scenes at the world famous museum of art, design and performance, the V&A. The series forms part of the BBC’s Culture in Quarantine initiative; bringing arts and culture into the homes of the nation under lockdown.
Accompanying the V&A’s specialist teams, Secrets of the Museum will reveal the tricks of their trade – the painstaking craftsmanship and expertise involved in conserving, cleaning, loaning, acquiring and displaying some of the museum’s 2.3 million amazing objects. From Michelangelo’s wax models and Constable’s sketches, to Winston Churchill’s despatch box and Vivien Leigh’s attaché case, from costumes from Shirley Bassey, Slade and the National Theatre’s production of Follies, to a 350-year-old doll’s house and contemporary pieces from designers Molly Goddard and JW Anderson, the staff of the V&A handle it all.
Emma Cahusac, Commissioner for BBC Arts says: “Secrets Of The Museum offers audiences the opportunity to explore the V&A, one of the world’s landmark museums of art, design and performance, at a time when sadly the doors are closed to the public. As we begin the year under lockdown, I am proud that Culture in Quarantine continues to give our viewers access to culture, with this new series of Secrets of the Museum revealing more about the objects and the people who care for them.”
Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A says: “At a time of renewed lockdown and enforced separation from our great cultural centres, we are even more delighted to invite audiences back for another behind-the-scenes look at the V&A. Though the museum remains closed, Secrets of the Museum continues to uncover untold stories from our dedicated teams and the fascinating objects stored within one of the nation’s best-loved museums. The V&A is very proud to be part of the BBC’s Culture in Quarantine initiative and our shared determination to share the people’s collections.”
Alistair Pegg, Director of Programmes, Blast! Films, says: ‘Despite the lockdowns over the last year, work behind the scenes at the V&A has continued unabated, and we’re delighted to be going back to the museum to uncover more hidden stories of fantastic objects.”
Secrets of the Museum (BBC Two, 6 x60) was commissioned by Emma Cahusac for BBC Arts and BBC Two. Catey Sexton is Series Producer/Director, and Executive Producer for Blast! Films is Alistair Pegg.
Jon Creamer
Share this story
