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BEHIND THE SCENES
Now in its 23nd year, the program has regularly been placed in the top ten television programs in the UK, with average audiences of 12 to 13 million. But the taping of the program itself draws large crowds as well. Executive Producer Christopher Lewis says, "On an average day at the Roadshow we see something like 3,000 people.
On exceptional days we clock up attendances of well over 5,000. On these occasions our experts see something like 20,000 items between them."
Each edition of Antiques Roadshow is compiled in a single day. The BBC takes over a suitably sized hall, which the technical team prepares the day before. Responding to photographs sent to the Bristol office as a result of advertisements in local newspapers, an advance party makes arrangements to transport some of the bulkier items, such as furniture, four-posters and suits of armor which are too large for their owners to carry. On the recording day the doors open at 10am and between then and 4pm when the doors close, people pour in, clutching their personal treasures. And the Roadshow guarantees that everybody in the queue will be seen by one of the 20 experts on hand.
From crumpled newspaper wrappings, carrier bags and battered boxes emerge curious, unusual, rare and occasionally highly valuable pieces. If an expert spots something special the owner will be asked to hear the expert's thoughts in front of the camera for the benefit of the viewers. This sometimes requires great restraint on the part of experts making extraordinary finds. They must not give the game away by showing their excitement to the owner. Capturing spontaneous reactions on camera is an important element of the program's success.
Some of the items brought have been rediscovered in attics or cupboards. Others are heirlooms handed down through generations. Many of the best finds have been picked up for a few shillings in junk shops or car boot sales. There is always a tale to be told.
"It isn't the value of the items alone that capture's people's imaginations," says furniture expert John Bly. "For instance, some of the greatest furniture surprises come from the later Regency period, which owners have written off as Victorian. Comparatively little research has been carried out into this period. It is nice that one can tell people more about the origin of items that have been in families for generations, particularly if they turn out to be older than the owner thought."
And porcelain expert Henry Gandon says, "The nicest thing about appearing on the show is meeting such lovely people and being allowed to handle their precious pots. They're not all works of art or antiques - but it is pure fun and joy."
Expert Paul Atterbury has a particular interest in 20th century furniture and decorative arts. "The Roadshow redefines the nature of antiques, underlying the growing interest in the things made between the wars, and in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. These things are often as good or better than anything from the 18th or 19th centuries. The Roadshow is not just about the past, but looks to the antiques of the future."
"The Roadshow's team of experts always astound me with the level and range of their knowledge," says Christopher. "Many of them have been with the show since it's birth in 1977. It's like working with a team of old friends."
Presenter Hugh Scully joined the program in 1981, originally with Arthur Negus, but since 1983 he has presented it on his own. In March of that year Arthur reached his 80th birthday and announced he was ready to retire. The producer at the time said he had no intention of replacing Arthur. He was "irreplaceable." Sadly, Arthur died in 1985.
About Antiques Roadshow Hugh says, "It's a delight to be associated with this, the most spontaneous program on television. We do not have any idea what the day will bring, but we are rarely disappointed. The success of the program is that it is ostensibly a conversation between two people with 13 million eavesdroppers."
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