11.05.10 Week 19 explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ariel THE BBC NEWSPAPER
OPERA UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT IN AMBITIOUS NEW SEASON a Pages 8-9 photograph never word OVERS/BBC : JEFF ending on THE story street
NICK ROBINSON and ◆Laura Kuenssberg were among those who worked round the clock on the most complex and gruelling general election ever covered by the bbc Pages 2-3
◆ Celebrations at ◆ King of the Channel ◆ Canteen comes radio stations after Kevin enters swimming alive with the sound Sony ceremony Page 4 hall of fame Page 5 of staff flashmobPage 16
> NEWS 2-4 WEEK AT WORK 6 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 GREEN ROOM 16 < 216 Election at the BBC aa 00·00·08 11·05·10 a
Room 2316, White City 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS 020 8008 4228 An election Editor Candida Watson 02-84222 Deputy editor Cathy Loughran 02-27360 Chief writer Sally Hillier 02-26877 Planning manager like no other Clare Bolt 02-24622 Broadcast Journalists by Candida Watson tv election night programming One, and attracted healthy stacking up, and she looked had a total reach of 17.7m be- audiences, with Northern absolutely in shock, then Claire Barrett 02-27368 u The culmination of the tween 9.55pm and 2am. Ireland taking a 31 percent Robinson came in and he Adam Bambury 02-27410 most gripping election cam- There was a live results share, Wales 24 percent and was ashen. It was a fascinat- Lisette Johnston 02-27630 paign for decades – and the service on Radio 4, 5 live, Scotland 26 percent. ing night.’ Rumeana Jahangir 01 -43756 most challenging in BBC BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, In Northern Ireland the The strong audience fig- AV Manager history, according to Mark BBC Northern Ireland and story of the night was First ures were not limited to elec- Peter Roach 02-24622 Thompson – produced strong all local radio stations. Cov- Minister and DUP leader Pe- tion night. An independent Digital Design Executives tv viewing and a weekend of survey for the BBC showed David Murray 02-27380 record traffic to BBC News more than 40m adults Gary Lonergan 02-84229 Online. claimed to have accessed Team assistant The audience for Elec- election news and informa- Graeme Allister 02-84228 tion 2010, anchored by Dav- tion from the BBC each week id Dimbleby, peaked at of the campaign. 6.6m, with an average of Helen Boaden, director Guest contributors this week 4.7m, a 36.1 percent share of News, told Ariel: ‘I find it and a 16.1m reach. The pro- genuinely inspiring to see KEVIN PASHBY, radio producer, BBC gramme was broadcast on 11.4m the way BBC news teams West Midlands, on his first week at BBC One, the News Chan- The number of unique users who visited the BBC News work so hard and so creative- work. Page 6 nel, BBC HD and BBC Two website on Friday, breaking the previous record of 9.2m ly to deliver the very best for in the nations. on the day of the Obama election victory. There were our audiences…on every lev- SUZANNE LORD, news producer, who Programme editor Craig more than 100m page views in total and, at peak, 1200 el, locally, regionally, nation- can’t get enough of the Scotland Oliver said: ‘It was an ex- searched for a constituency result every second. ally and on our global serv- bureau, if not the Scottish weather. traordinary privilege to work ices, we did serious, useful Page 14 with such a talented team on journalism and analysis. But one of the most exciting and erage was also on the Red ter Robinson losing his West- there was also plenty of wit intriguing stories. The jour- Button and the BBC’s Face- minster seat in East Bel- and a real richness about the Ariel mail nalism was extremely sharp, book and Twitter sites and fast. Sbj Andy Martin, who way we covered the UK.’ Candida. [email protected] the production had real im- Ceefax. The mobile election doorstepped Robinson as he She added: ‘It will be in- The ties have it: David Dimbleby Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel pact and the technical staff results pages had more than walked into the count, said: teresting now to see if we chooses a fresh one to go back BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 performed miracles. What 1m views. ‘It was extraordinary. We no- have to turn round and do it on air late Friday morning Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 more could you want?’ The nations ran their ticed the bundles of votes all again in six months.’ BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 Across all channels the BBC’s own programmes on BBC for Naomi Long were really A veteran of six general Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS Advertise in Ariel Ten Alps Media 020 7878 2313 www.bbcarielads.com Printing Garnett Dickinson Group Rotherham 01709 768000 Adrenalin-fuelled marathon to capture the story that ran and ran Subscribe to Ariel Six months: £26, £36, £40 Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 by Sally Hillier Behind the scenes, too, (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world extraordinarily long shifts respectively) u Exhausted but exhil- were clocked up with some Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, arated. That’s how many key staff working, with only Brookfields Way, Manvers, BBC people feel this week the odd mini-break, through Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL after covering the big story. Thursday and Thursday Tel 01709 768199 If you sign up for general night and well into Friday – election duties, you have to the culmination of an opera- INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY accept you’re in it for the tion that started more than Telephone 0800 0688 159 long haul, and what a haul a month ago when the elec- Ceefax Page 159www.bbc.co.uk/159 it was. tion was called. Ariel is produced by Internal Results programmes For Lindsay McCoy and Communications for people at the BBC that began around 10pm Thea Rogers, Nick Rob- on Thursday were just the inson’s producers, the start of marathon tv shifts graft started around East- for David Dimbleby (report- er, building up to regular edly kept going by hon- 14-hour days as the cam- ey), Nick Robinson, Jeremy paign gained pace. Paxman and Laura Kuenss- ‘We were following the burg, among others. party leaders and it was pret- Hard slog: Nick Robinson’s producers Thea Rogers and Lindsay McCoy PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL It was a similar story at ty manic,’ says Rogers. radio where presenters such One of their greatest chal- didn’t finish until 10pm. nabe PMs made their final as James Naughtie, Carolyn lenges, she adds, was pro- In the last two days of the pitches. On election day it- Quinn, Victoria Derbyshire ducing a package for the top campaign, the two produc- self, though, they were off and John Pienaar kept listen- of the Ten O’Clock News after ers rushed with Robinson duty. ‘The idea was to rest In for the long haul: ers up-to-date through the each of the prime ministeri- from one end of the coun- on Thursday then get in re- Nick Robinson small hours and beyond. al debates, which themselves try to the other as the wan- ally early on Friday to start
> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 11·05·10 Election at the BBC 3
elections at the BBC, Mark four weeks, and achieving its Thompson said he couldn’t highest ever weekly reach of remember another one as 942,000. The channel broad- complex or demanding as cast the morning press con- this one. ferences, plus highlights of And the output was ‘first the day’s campaigning, and class’, he said: ‘Brilliant all debates. campaign coverage was fol- n For the first time, report- lowed by an election night ers broadcast live and on the (and its fascinating after- move using Live U, essential- math) which showed the ly a computer fitted with BBC at its very best – clear, sim cards from various net- authoritative, fair but also works. When connected to unbelievably gripping.’ a camera, LiveU compress- On the big night it wasn’t es video and uses 3G mobile just news staff who worked signal to stream footage back flat out; May 6 was a very to a server at TV Centre. The busy evening and night for technology allowed North studio and post production of England correspondent staff in TVC, who had five Chris Buckler to broadcast different programmes to live from the Conservatives’ cover. As well as the news battlebus during David Cam- programme in studio one, eron’s 36-hour marathon there was Channel Four’s Al- and political correspondent ternative Election Night and Mike Sergeant from the Lib RTE’s election coverage in Dem campaign trail. separate studios, plus Watch- n In another first, the Audi- dog and the Armstrong and ences team helped editori- Miller Show. al teams to plan their gen- n Did you spot any faces you eral election coverage, using recognised in the virtual re- their own research to pro- ality House of Commons on vide insights into the prevail- Election 2010? The ‘MPs’ were ing mood in the UK. actually staff members who n Two months into their sat in for the graphic. placements, members of the n 40 satellite trucks were Journalism Trainee Scheme brought in from across Eu- had an election night bap- rope, to ensure the BBC was tism of fire, whether work- live at more counts than any ing on graphics tickers in other broadcaster. Scotland, updating results n A news producer was in Norwich or producing an locked in with the psepholo- online piece for Global News gists all day on May 6, ensur- on what African election ob- ing nothing leaked as they servers made of the process. crunched the numbers for n Political correspondent Marathon man: even Jeremy Paxman, the exit poll, which was very Laura Kuenssberg has been snapped during a break with election night accurate. judged one of the winners of editor Craig Oliver, was showing the strain n BBC Parliament had ‘a the campaign by press com- during his 18 hour shift good campaign’, doubling mentators, who have praised its audience during the last her Twitter feeds.
The election was the perfect subject for a photographic project to capture 24 hours in the life of BBC News. Pictures like these, from Fred Scott, Kieran McCarron and Angela Catlin will go on public display Adrenalin-fuelled marathon to capture the story that ran and ran
BJs Eunan McConville, Martin Mawhinney and an indie colleague (left) watch the story unfold in BBC Northern Ireland Excitement mounts: Adrian Masters, BBC Wales cutting pieces for that day’s After returning to duty on What sustains them? ‘Each Despite the tiredness news,’ says McCoy. ‘But we Friday, they hardly stopped other,’ says McCoy. That, along and madness of it all, she got totally caught up in the – working all over the week- with huge doses of adrenalin doesn’t hesitate when excitement of the results, end and into the start of this and the ‘fantastic’ camarade- asked to sum up the expe- kept texting each other, and week. They can see no let-up rie within the BBC election rience of covering the 2010 barely got any sleep.’ in the coming days. team, she adds. election. ‘Bloody brilliant.’ And it’s a wrap: end of show celebrations in TC1
4 News a 11·05·10 NEWS BITES
A new online booking system for the Proms saw a 900 percent increase Surprises among prizes in the number of tickets sold on the first day of availability this year over last. More than 80,000 tickets were snapped up, 65,000 of them online. Seven concerts were sold out by the end of the day, at the Sony Awards including the First Night and a performance by Placido Domingo of Simon Boccanegra on July 18. by Candida Watson main.’ She said she was pleased to be a part of the BBC Radio family, Frances Finn, Radio 4’s The Food Programme was The radio industry turned out and thanked colleagues across the Speech Radio top radio programme of 2009 in in force on Monday night for this service, but particularly in Afghan- Personality of the Voice of the Listener and Viewer year’s Sony Awards, which saw suc- istan. the Year. Awards, with the station’s 1989 cess for a wide range of BBC pro- Sir David Attenborough, perhaps Day by Day named best new radio grammes, from news on the World better known to television than ra- programme. BBC Two’s The Choir was Service to sport on Radio Scotland dio audiences, was named Speech best tv programme, with The Making and the tragedy of Alzheimers on Broadcaster of the Year. Accepting of Modern Britain topping the new tv Radio Ulster. the prize Sir David said: ‘Television programme poll. Doctor Who was best The first prize of the evening is a doddle. If you have birds of par- children’s tv show and the special went to 6 Music presenter and mu- adise and gorillas, it’s a doddle. Ra- children’s tv award went to Horrible sician Jarvis Cocker, who issued a dio terrifies me, I think it is extraor- Histories. Newsreader Charlotte Green passionate defence of the station dinarily difficult, congratulations took the Roberts Radio special award. in his acceptance speech for the to you all who work in it, I didn’t DAB Rising Star Award. He said: ‘I think I would be able to….I thank Mark Thompson will give this will take this opportunity to rant – you very much indeed for this mag- year’s MacTaggart Lecture at the show I do could not exist on any nificent award.’ the MediaGuardian Edinburgh other station – this award is a vindi- The Dermot O’Leary show on Ra- International Television Festival cation of the 6 Music way of work- dio 2 was best music programme; in August. ‘In what is a big year ing.’ best speech programme was Nihal, for the BBC, as well as the rest of A second gold for the digital sta- on the Asian Network. The judges the broadcasting industry, it’s a tion, which is slated for closure in said the programme; ‘engages its of them for Andrew Peach and his was named best current affairs pro- great privilege to be asked to give the strategy review, went to Adam & audience so powerfully you have to Breakfast show. The station took gramme; Archive on 4 was best fea- the MacTaggart lecture,’ he said. Joe, in the Comedy category. stop everything and listen.’ the community programming ture, for ‘Working with Margaret’ Radio Nottingham presenter Woman’s Hour presenter Jenni award for ‘New Ballads of Reading a programme about being on Mar- Two BBC websites have won People’s Frances Finn beat off strong com- Murray took best interview for her Gaol’, which featured poems writ- garet Thatcher’s staff, made for Ra- Choice awards in the 2010 Webbys. petition from broadcasters includ- conversation with former head of ten by prisoners. dio 4 by Brook Lapping; best news The awards, which are a US event, ing Eddie Mair and Nick Ferrari to Haringey children’s services, Shar- The judges commended Radio special was Crossing Continents – have 70 categories covering all types take Speech Radio Personality of on Shoesmith, who was dismissed Ulster’s gold winning breaking Chechnya, again on Radio 4. The of websites, from blogs to specialist the Year – accepting the award Finn after the death of Baby P. Accepting news story ‘Alzheimers Tragedy’, station also took gold for the mu- advertising. The BBC News website said she had not prepared a speech the award Murray thanked her pro- describing it as: ‘a gripping and sic special Elvis by Bono, which was took the prize in the News section, because she never expected to win. duction team, but said she was sad emotional story….which led to a na- made for Radio 4 by Ten Alps. behind overall winner the New News Journalist of the Year was the award came about because of tional debate.’ The awards ceremony was continu- York Times; BBC Blast was People’s Lyse Doucet, who said; ‘I think this the death of a child. The BBC dominated the nomina- ing as Ariel went to press, so for a Choice in the NetArt category. is my most exciting day in Britain Local radio station BBC Berk- tions in the journalism categories, full list of winners go to since I got indefinite leave to- re shire had four nominations, three and Newshour on the World Service www.radioawards.org/ Roadshows by HR Direct this month will visit 11 locations. For further details email [email protected]
Big hitters to battle it out at Bafta ceremony The BBC Academy has launched an online booklet to guide individuals BBC shows dominate this has been selected for best spe- ti earthquake has been picked and managers through the hundreds year’s Bafta tv nominations es- cialist factual along with its for the news category. In of training courses available in the pecially in the drama, comedy fellow BBC Four production sport, coverage of F1’s Brazil- BBC. Go to learn.gateway.bbc.co.uk and factual categories. Politi- Art of Russia. BBC Three’s ian Grand Prix has been pit- cal satire The Thick of It and peri- Blood, Sweat and Takeaways ted against the World Athlet- od drama Small Island earned joins Who Do you Think You ics Championship. bakhurst’s three nominations each. Are? in hoping to win the best The June 6 ceremony will In-house productions That factual series award. be hosted by Graham Norton new duties Mitchell and Webb Look, Getting Generation Jihad and Gypsy who has also been nominated On and Miranda also received Child Thieves, which both aired and joins Stephen Fry, Charlie n Head of the BBC Newsroom Mary two nods each in the comedy on BBC Two, have been nom- Brooker and Michael McIntyre Hockaday has closed the post of categories. inated in the current affairs to battle it out with ITV big-hit- deputy head and asked News Channel In the BBC’s year of science, section while the News Chan- ters Harry Hill and Ant & Dec in Three nominations: Michael (Ashley Walters) controller Kevin Bakhurst to add the Chemistry: A Volatile History nel’s reporting from the Hai- the entertainment categories. and Queenie (Ruth Wilson) in Small Island role to his existing responsibilities. Bakhurst, who also oversees the One O’Clock News, will now deputise for Hockaday in her absence and line Take a fresh step Plea to Pakistan over Urdu manage On Demand. He takes up the duties on May 17. The BBC Academy’s Step- In a new development Two dozen Pakistani radio stations perwork for PEMRA last October and In further changes Hockaday will ping Stones placement this year the Academy have been asked to stop broadcasting the World Service has called on the Pa- take on line management of radio scheme is again open for will run special lunchtime the BBC’s Urdu Service news bulletins kistan authorities to allow the news, and Sam Taylor, editor of applications, offering doz- ‘conference call surger- by the country’s media watchdog. stations to resume Urdu news Newswire, becomes head of editorial ens more staff the chance ies’, where people can find The World Service partners 34 FM updates. The corporation argues that development. He will oversee busi- to experience other BBC out more about the scheme stations in Pakistan but 24 have been millions who listen to radio in Paki- ness change, the move to W1 and the departments or work for and how to apply. These told they should cease using BBC’s stan are missing out on impartial and further development of multimedia. external companies. will run on May 13, 20, and programmes by the Pakistan Elec- editorially independent news. The Newswire post will be advertised. Last year there were 27 and June 8. tronic Media Regulatory Authority It adds that it will monitor the situ- The re-shuffle follows the depar- 180 applications and of For further information (PEMRA). ation closely and continue to support tures of former deputy Craig Oliver these 40 placements were go to the website tinyurl. It is understood the targeted sta- its partners in getting BBC programmes for Global News and Simon Andrewes, funded. com/sstones tions completed all the required pa- back on air. who was head of development. a 11·05·10 Features 5
Making a splash: Kevin Murphy is honoured for his achievements and (far right) powers to another record Murphy in the swim photograph: IS photograph: HO F by Lisette Johnston radio newsroom, discovered his ability to give up the hobby he is passionate about will hobble down in a zimmer and jump into swim long distances as a teenager and has and would like to do another channel the sea, and I’ve definitely got a few years left. He is dubbed King of the Channel, having a swimming career spanning seven decades. crossing this summer if he can. ‘Obviously I am pleased and honoured to swum the straight between Britain and France 34 He is the only man to have completed three ‘Swimming has been my escape from be included in the Hall of Fame, especially times, more than any other man in history. And double Channel crossings and his longest swim journalism,’ he explains, ‘but really I am because it is my peers who are voting. I would last weekend broadcast journalist Kevin Murphy was 52 hours when he attempted a third leg. substituting one pressure for another. When like to think that over the last 40 years I have was inducted into the International Swimming Despite suffering a heart attack last it comes to swimming the competitive streak moved the course of swimming forward, Hall of Fame in Florida for his efforts. year and needing major shoulder surgery takes over and I just want to be the best in the because when I started, one Channel crossing Now aged 61, Murphy, who works in the in both 2003 and 2004, he has no plans to world, so that is why I have kept going. I joke I was seen as the ultimate achievement.’ ‘Every hive is a local drama’ by Candida Watson ing course herself. She says: ‘This campaign suits me perfectly. I had Imagine a world without bees. It to fight off several colleagues to get would be a hungry place – 87 of the the assignment.’ 115 staple food crops of the planet Tudor will be reporting on the BBC require bee pollination. Without them, Shropshire website, on air, blogging, millions of agricultural workers would tweeting and posting on facebook be needed to do the job by hand, about the hive at the grand NT prop- using tiny brushes. There would be erty of Attingham Park. fewer flowers; no drowsy buzzing on u The most southerly hive in the summer afternoons; and the answer project is on Jersey, where local apia- to Rupert Brooke’s poetic question ‘Is rists are concerned that a predator, there honey still for tea?’ would be a the Asian Hornet, might soon reach resounding ‘No’. the island from France, where it has Apocalyptic? Around the world decimated bee colonies. bee colonies are dying and no one u The head National Trust gardener really knows why. The government is at Thomas Hardy’s cottage is a novice backing a £10m research project into bee keeper, so she’ll learn about api- the problem. Now BBC local radio is culture along with the BBC Dorset and lending its weight, with its ‘Bee Part Radio Solent audience. Online report- of It’ campaign. er Sue Paz is putting together a page Teaming up with the National of bee facts and figures for the Dorset Trust, British Beekeepers Association site, and will do regular updates both and the National Pollen and Aerobiol- online and into Radio Solent’s morn- ogy Research Unit, each station will ing show with Jon Cuthill. follow the life of a hive over a season. u Stuart Banks, warden at the Na- Jeremy Pollock, editor, special tional Trust’s Grange Barn in Cogge- features unit, brought the project shall will appear regularly on BBC together. He says: ‘There will be 42 Essex’s mid-morning show as he truly local stories, starting with an works with his new hive. Assistant empty hive and watching it develop editor Lynne Wilson says she’s al- into one buzzing with up to 40,000 ready learnt one thing about bees: bees, producing around 50lbs of Stung into action: Beekeeper Sally Morris with BBC Coventry & Warwickshire’s Siobhan Harrison and Vanessa Pearce ‘Apparently, when they are full of honey.’ pollen they are so fat they can’t bend Every station has a ‘bee buddy’, story of its hive, each local radio sta- len and Aerobiology Research Unit learnt. their bodies to sting you.’ either a staff member at the NT prop- tion will raise awareness of the issue will regularly take pollen samples u Genevieve Tudor, who’ll be cov- ‘Bee Part of It’ begins on May 17 and erty or a local member of the BBA. of declining bee populations, and and dead bees from every hive and ering the campaign for BBC Shrop- marks the start of the Springwatch Pollock hopes that by telling the also investigate it. The National Pol- analyse them, to see what can be shire, has just started a bee-keep- Wild Season for English regions
6 Features week@work a 11·05·10 changing places BBC IN ACTION u Sarah Ward-Lilley [below] is the new deputy head of newsgathering, replacing Jonathan Baker who is now head of the College of Journalism.
Presenter GINNY BUCKLEY will join former detective RAV WILDING to co-present Crime- watch when it goes on the road this summer. Diederick Santer, former executive pro- ducer of EastEnders, has left the BBC to set up his own production company. Staff moves at BBC Oxford see SERENA ANDREWS come to the station from the East Midlands team. She will be taking over the reins of Drivetime in the next few weeks. And Amid questions about voters being er Joanne Malin out on the road to ask voters Joanne and vj Patricia Hoskins toured the PETER COOKE is joining the station to cover locked out and speculation on the hung what they would do if they were Prime Minister region, reporting from Birmingham, Erding- ANDY GORDON’s attachment to the College of Parliament, one woman on the election – giving them a megaphone and a soapbox. ton, Kings Heath, Longbridge, Northfield and Journalism. Cooke has been working in radio, trail made sure her voice was heard – Mrs Hughes was in Dudley where she told Walsall and Dudley tv and online at BBC Southampton for the past Barbara Hughes let rip on the megaphone. the people of the town: ‘If I was Prime Minister At the end of the day they talked to candi- 18 months as well as doing work for 5 live and For the final two days of campaigning, BBC I would help every family with disabled chil- dates in two areas about the issues raised by the News Channel. West Midlands sent mid-morning present- dren. They need all the help they can get.’ voters. New comms executive Erin McIntosh joins the BBC to work on the Digital Media Initiative. Myles Runham has begun his role as the head of online for the Academy, after being head of interactive learning at Vision. first week at work resource Kevin Pashby, The realisation that we didn’t need to squeeze in of the Producer, Phil Upton at Breakfast, the news between Britney Spears and Cheryl Cole fact of life BBC West Midlands was a luxury. I was like a kid in a sweet shop. week u For 15 years I worked in the world of commer- Within a couple of days I realised that almost We truly are a nation of telly addicts. A cial radio. It was my life. I was institutionalised. everyone who works at the BBC is human You may not have heard study by the Broadcasters’ Audience The thought of ever leaving my comfort zone too. They laugh, joke and giggle. Everyone of Quickfire, but it’s been Research Board claims that people in brought me out into a cold sweat. But then the kept saying to me ‘you’ll notice a massive declared one of the behind the UK watch more than four hours of tv inevitable happened, and as the world of com- cultural difference’ or ‘you’ll face so many the scenes successes of every day. mercial radio began to shrink, so did the work obstacles’ but, to be honest, I’ve not come last week’s election. The But watching the box so much is not opportunities. across any major issue which I haven’t system allows correspond- necessarily a good thing, as research Last August it happened and I was made previously encountered in my ents and producers to file by Michigan and Montreal Universities redundant. Thrown out of my familiar career. copy back to their news- reveals. Their survey found the more tv a surroundings I contemplated work- I have just focused on what has room via text or email. This toddler watches the higher the likelihood ing for the BBC – a thought which both always been my main concern - has proved key for break- they will do badly at school and have poor scared me and conjured up images of what is coming out of the speak- ing news with much of the health at the age of ten. The research journalists who took life and them- ers for the listeners to hear. I content quickly being put teams monitored 1300 children and also selves too seriously. But how wrong couldn’t have asked for a better across to the website. So report that the negative effects for older I was. start to my career with the BBC. far 300 BBC staff are regis- children rose with every hour of toddler My first week at the BBC was the best Let’s hope that commercial ra- tered to file via Quickfire. tv they had watched. week I’d had in radio for a long time. dio’s loss is the Beeb’s gain!
Modern Art, the respected American magazine the pond aren’t due to take place until 2011 SHAMELESS PLUG Jazz Times had this to say about my missus: – she’ll be playing to a home town crowd in ‘She ranks among the four or five finest fe- Brighton on Wednesday June 2 at The Base- Phil Jackson, Presenter, South:Live male jazz vocalists on the planet (it wouldn’t ment. For this particular performance, Claire’s u While I’m not prone to blowing my own trum- be overstatement to recognize her as Anita band features pioneering jazz/fusion guitar- pet, I’ll happily shout the proverbial walls down O’Day’s rightful heiress), and on the rare occa- ist Jim Mullen, virtuoso bassist Laurence Cottle, about my wife – Mrs Jackson (AKA Claire Martin). sion she performs stateside, the crowds are in- who has played with Sting, Eric Clapton and even Within the BBC, she’s the smoky voice of Jazz variably SRO. So it’s hard to fathom why Claire Black Sabbath, and Ian Thomas who is one of the Line Up on Radio 3, but when she puts down her Martin, a household name in her native UK and a most in demand session drummers in the UK. headphones and takes off her pass she’s also a perennial British poll winner, remains so under- I could go on, but being her husband my nor- mighty fine singer. appreciated on this side of the Atlantic. Maybe mally iron-clad impartiality could be called into Claire’s no stranger to the microphone as it’s because those visits are so rare, or per- question. Best see for yourself then – I promise she’s been at the forefront of the British jazz haps because her albums aren’t always easy to that Claire won’t disappoint. scene since she landed her first record deal find. Well, with the advent of iTunes, almost her in 1992. Despite a back-catalogue that now entire output is just a click away. As a starting Claire Martin performs at the Basement in stretches into double digits and more awards point, you’ll be hard pressed to do better than Brighton on June 2. Doors open at 8pm, tickets than there is room for, America has been a little her latest release.’ are £15. slow to wake up to the ‘First Lady of British Jazz’ Although America will have to wait a while Links: www.clairemartinjazz.com until now. Following her most recent release, A ‘Among the finest jazz vocalists on the planet’ longer to hear her sing live – her next gigs over www.thebasement.uk.com
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The BBC is opening the door as never before on opera, with appearances by some of its most acclaimed stars and behind- the-scenes documentaries that The grit provide an insight into what it takes to succeed in their world. Sally Hillier behind the reports
Sitting pretty: Danielle glamour de Niese in Diva Diaries Move over, Britain’s Got Talent. The BBC of programming that has ultimately emerged has got… well, talent. It has signed up some of from those tentative early discussions between the biggest names in classical music for a series Hadlow and Maniura. ‘The BBC is opening the of programmes devoted to opera, or, if you pre- door on opera as never before,’ says Younghus- fer, ‘the most thrilling art form of all’. band, promising that this is just ‘the first -in At least that is how Antonio Pappano, music stalment’ of a continuing exploration, while director of the Royal Opera House, describes it. Radio 3 controller Roger Wright describes the Watch out for Pappano, presenter of BBC Four’s project as ‘the BBC’s largest ever celebration’ of colourful three-parter Opera Italia, the cen- the genre. trepiece of the Opera on the BBC season, which There have been opera seasons before, of starts this month. course, but restricted to either BBC Two or Ra- and behind-the-scenes glimpses. audience took Engaging, enthusiastic, down to earth – a dio 3, presented by a classical heavyweight and ‘This is opera from the engine room if you part as well; all of bit of a geezer, even, the charismatic Pappano, very much performance-based. This time it’s like,’ says Maniura. ‘It’s practitioner-led, which a sudden they would get up who was born in east London to Italian parents different. Yes, there are still plenty of big per- gives it an authenticity.’ from their seats and dance. The challenge was and made his name as a pianist and conductor, formance pieces from opera houses in the UK By practitioners, he means people such as to take tv viewers into all of that. is sure to strike the right chord as he explores and abroad (The Marriage of Figaro, La Boheme, soprano Danielle de Niese who provides an ‘Verdi’s Othello is an established masterpiece the role played by opera in Italian history and Don Giovanni, Aida on BBC Four; Der Rosenkava- insight into the hectic life of an internation- but this was done in a radically different way.’ culture. lier, Peter Grimes, Tristan und Isolde among a host al star in BBC Four’s Diva Diaries. Proving she’s Asked if the BBC wasn’t just trying to be cool He’s a tv natural, just like Gareth Malone of of others on Radio 3), but there is ‘added value’ not such a diva after all, the singer, who shot to and trendy and down with the kids, Maniura BBC Two’s The Choir fame, who is also part of with a range of accompanying documentaries fame with her portrayal of Cleopatra at Glynde- is adamant that Vick’s interpretation of Othello, the opera line-up, taking on a new chorus mas- bourne in 2005, agreed to use a video camera to which earned rave reviews, deserves its place in ter role in Gareth Goes to Glyndebourne. record her preparations as she makes her debut the opera season. Other contributors to the ambitious pan- It’s an art form at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. ‘We want the programmes to be accessible BBC collection include singers, musicians, di- Then there is Rolando Villazon who explores and fun, but aficionados who are after tradi- rectors, critics, and, er, tv chef Rick Stein, who the technical, physical and artistic demands of tional gold standard opera will find plenty for looks at the food that has fuelled some of op- traditionally seen his craft in What makes a Great Tenor, also on BBC them, too. We made our choices [for the season] era’s most creative minds. Four; Placido Domingo, who talks to Alan Yen- very carefully.’ And no special season would be complete as the preserve tob in a repeat of an Imagine profile (BBC Two); The fact that so many professionals of in- without Stephen Fry, who explores why he Graham Vick, who features in Verdi – ternational standing agreed to take loves the music of Wagner while loathing the of ‘posh’ people The Director’s Cut, a 60-minute BBC part, gives Opera on the BBC cred- composer’s anti-Semite political views. Two film tracing Vick’s produc- ibility and authority, Maniura Opera on the BBC encompasses more than 20 tions of Aida and Othello. believes. programmes across television and radio – prin- Engaging: Antonio Separately, BBC Two will show Pointing to the ‘huge cipally Radio 3 but Radio 2 is also involved, Pappano, who presents Vick’s innovative Othello produc- breadth of content’ promised with Kiri Te Kanawa launching a search for a Opera Italia tion in its entirety. It was not the in the collection, he says: ‘A new opera star – complemented by extensive easiest of outside broadcasts as the number of journeys are avail- online content at bbc.co.uk/opera. performance took place inside a gi- able to the audience.’ How has it all come about? The project start- ant warehouse-style space in Bir- Enjoy the ride. ed many months ago when Janice Hadlow, then mingham with a company of controller of BBC Four, and Peter Maniura, head 250 actors, singers and of classical music, television and performance, dancers drawn from discussed how they might engage tv audienc- the community, led The two of us: es in performance art, particularly opera, tradi- by Ronald Samm – Rolando Villazon and tionally seen as a ‘posh’ people’s pursuit. opera’s first ever Anna Netrebko in ‘Initially we talked about doing something black Othello. La Boheme just on BBC Four,’ Maniura explains. ‘That ‘It was a 360 changed when Janice became controller of BBC degree produc- Two and made clear she was still keen to be in- tion so there volved, then Radio 3 joined in as well. was no front ‘We’ve always had a strong relationship with or back of the Royal Opera House, and I suppose you could stage,’ Ma- say that various currents came together at the niura ex- same time.’ plains. ‘The Plans were well under way when Jan Youn- action hap- ghusband, the former head of arts at Channel pened around 4, arrived at the corporation as commissioning us and, to make editor, music and events. things even more She is thrilled by the ‘unprecedented’ range complicated, the
9 Lost the plot? This might help
The Marriage of Figaro One of the wittiest yet most mov- Working out what is going on in the ing of operas. At times it’s like a bed- masterpieces can be tricky. Tony Cheevers, room farce, with people hiding in cupboards, dressing up, jumping out editor, opera, Radio 3, provides a quick guide of windows, but the characterisation is so skilful that it’s much more than to three of the works featured in the season just pantomime. In fact, it’s a serious commentary on the relationship be- Count out and embarrass him to the drama that has made Aida one tween master and servant with the whole household. of the most popular operas in protagonists expressing Famous bits include the Coun- the repertoire. themselves through tess’s aria at the opening of Act 2 some of the most (Porgi amor), and the duet in Act 3 Simon Boccanegra beautiful music between Susanna and the Countess. It’s not the most well known Verdi opera, but it’s huge- Aida ly revered by Verdi fans, not The first word that comes to mind is least for its central baritone ‘spectacular’. Set against the back- role and for its beautiful drop of ancient Egypt, it has been per- and dramatic music. Set in formed in grand arenas with towering 14th-century Genoa, former scenery, large choruses, ballet and lav- corsair (a kind of semi-pirate) ish costumes and is often described Simon Boccanegra is reluc- as ‘the grandest of grand operas’. But tantly elected to the post of Aida is also a psychological drama Doge (chief magistrate) and Mozart ever wrote. with the familiar operatic theme of spends the opera trying to Figaro, Count Al- jealousy – Aida, an Ethiopian slave to make peace among political maviva’s valet, is due the Egyptian Princess Amneris, loves forces that threaten the re- to marry the Coun- the soldier Radames but so too does public. tess’s maid Susanna, Amneris. Add to this the complication Two warring factions, but the Count puts a span- that Aida is really the daughter of the a passionate love affair, ner in the works by trying every trick Ethiopian king, Egypt’s enemy, and it a murderous plot, and an It’s a clinch: Erwin Schrott and Miah Parsson he knows to thwart the wedding and can only end in tragedy. Perhaps it’s illegitimate child give plenty in the Royal Opera House’s have Susanna for himself. His neglect- the combination of scale and specta- of material for Verdi to show off production of The Marriage of Figaro ed wife helps Susanna to catch the cle, with a touching, intimate, human his considerable dramatic skills.
Down the It’s all about the wire – 19th beauty of the voice The Television Trails In the one minute century style for the season feature version of the trail, the close-up images of camera navigates its singers Ronald Samm way around Corley’s Radio 3 listeners will be and Stephanie Corley. jawbone. able to enjoy special features The performers were ’It’s showing the including Operas in the Afternoon accompanied by the BBC intricate muscle-play (operas from around Europe) Symphony Orchestra involved in performing,’ and The A-Z of Opera on In in their renditions of says Emma Simon, head Tune, which will offer an Esultate from Verdi’s of Radio 3 marketing. approachable and demystifying Othello and Vissi D’Arte ‘The emphasis is on the guide to the art form. from Puccini’s Tosca. beauty of the voice.’ On May 16 The Pleasure Tel- ephone (pictured) will tell the remarkable story of the use of the early telephone in the late 19th century to relay live opera direct to subscribers’ homes, while in Why do Women Die In Opera Martin Kettle con- siders the phenomenon of the perishing prima donnas. Be it through suicide, murder, as- phyxiation, drowning, execu- tion, consumption, leaping off a balcony or dying in an ava- lanche, a significant propor- tion of female characters meet a miserable and often grue- some end. Close up and personal: Ronald Samm features in bbc.co.uk/opera the television trails promoting the season we’ve got a lot of music after 100 years! dewolfemusic the first name in programme music music searches - download wav/mp3 - music consultancy - reversioning - specially composed www.searchdewolfe.com
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Pushing the boat out BBC’s offer in the future. It is also I suppose it would be rather churlish testament to the durability and his- to ask just how much the ‘starship Why should our drinks be on the public? torical importance of the footage the enterprise’ set cost, but perhaps I BBC holds within its vaults. might pose three little questions? How can the BBC justify spending licence pay- down the pub. The public is footing the bill for Sir Michael Lyons If the party on the boat was or- ers’ money on alcohol when a member of staff our luxuries. How long until the next expenses chairman, BBC Trust ganised by the BBC and we didn’t leaves? With staff quitting before the move to scandal, I wonder? just gatecrash it… Whose idea was it? Salford, the frequency of these leaving drinks Chris Bailey, What was the point? How much did New life for TVC it cost ? is increasing – and every time somebody goes, a interactive I responded to the news in 2007 of Eric Smith few crates of beer and wine are claimed for on a the possible sale of TV Centre by sug- breakfast presenter, Radio Shropshire BBC charge code. The BBC policy states that the corporation gesting it was developed into a Na- It is shameful that alcoholic drinks can be will make a ‘modest’ – up to £5 per head – contri- tional Museum of Performing Arts. BBC News replied: As part of our elec- The RTS and the National Media ordered in this way. If a colleague is popular bution to leaving drinks only if the person has tion night coverage, we produced live Museum have since convinced me that interviews and broadcasts through- enough to warrant ‘leaving drinks’, I’m sure served at least five years and only with the ap- a national centre for the performing out the night from a boat moored staff would gladly chip in a few quid for a pint proval of the divisional finance director – ed. arts would make better use of the com- outside the London Eye, discussing plex. Instead of museum style exhibits the election results with views of the there could be galleries with historical House. Andrew Neill was talking to or exhausted trying to escape. At the end of almost every pro- on the right of the screen are so displays drawn from existing museum politicians, commentators and well The daily sight of panicking and gramme I brace myself and am quite small that a voiceover has to read collections – a V&A Theatre Gallery or known personalities and opinion distressed birds desperately trying unable to see the credits I most want them out to us. BFI moving image gallery. The Nation- formers – including Michael Por- to free themselves, walking under- to read. They only recover in time to Russell Felton al Gallery has stated interest as has the tillo, Simon Schama, Dan and Peter neath rotting and soon-to-be mag- show me quite unnecessary ones like Radio Merseyside’s ‘A’ Team British Library which has 12000 titles Snow, Ian Hislop, Alistair Campbell, got-infested bird carcasses and slid- accountants or location caterers. relating to the performing arts. Michael Ashcroft, Richard Lambert, ing around on bird excrement is not When the practice first began a The BBC and other production Charles Moore and Lionel Barber. pleasant, nor is it ideal in terms of few years ago it was raised on Points Cover up with words companies could still use studios for Although we don’t comment on health and safety. of View. A BBC person promised it Those who were annoyed by Graham live audience recordings and one stu- production costs, the interviews David Larner would be stopped, but we’ve waited Norton’s unscheduled invasion of dio could be allocated to the Royal were used across the BBC’s output. BBC Information in vain. the Doctor Who universe might not Opera House for live relays. Virginia Stowell have been quite so much had they It could include a music and BBC Workplace was invited to respond, Retired staff activated the subtitles. They largely dance academy and facilities for ed- Crying fowl but chose not to comment – ed covered up the graphic. ucation and training. BBC training The pigeon poo situation at TV Cen- n Not only are adverts appearing dur- David Smith could be relocated to the centre. tre is somewhat out of hand now, ing BBC programmes, but ending cap- subtitler, Red Bee Media Reaction from most of the organi- with one safe walkway in particular Credit squeeze tions are also being squashed into red sations, as well as from the London being completely deluged on a daily A propos the general anger following boxes with text as small as 10 pitch. mayor and the London Borough of basis. Indeed, BBC Workplace has the inappropriate trailer superim- Captions then become illegible un- Past key to the future Hammersmith and Fulham, has been helpfully installed a ‘Slippery Sur- posed over the crucial ending of Doc- less you have a 50” plasma tv or a spe- I just wanted to write a few words to favourable. And if the BBC would face’ sign – which is now itself spat- tor Who on April 27, what can be done cial prescription for Specsavers. mark the BBC’s considerable achieve- take the lead and progress the idea tered with droppings. to stop Presentation/Red Bee, or who- This practice is even more annoy- ment in securing an impressive haul into a plan, it would demonstrate its Indeed, BBC Workplace’s ap- ever now plays out our programmes, ing if you are looking for an actor’s in the Focal International Awards for commitment to be the major cultur- proach to the pigeon problem at TVC from crushing closing screen credits name that is not listed in the Radio the use of archive footage and to con- al and performance arts supporter in borders on cruelty with countless and putting up superfluous split- Times – and remember, this feature gratulate all those involved. the UK and begin to put into practice birds caught in netting – well known screen in-vision caption trails while a promotes their names and qualities This is a clear recognition of the second of the five priorities. to be defective – now hanging dead, perfectly adequate voiceover tells us as professionals. achievements in an area which will Ty Davies having been either starved, strangled exactly the same thing? Even the adverts for programmes be of increasing importance to the London
memorations in beautifully hand written notes, short Tony Palmer, Alan He came across primarily as a Eu- OBITUARY 1995, the funer- and eloquent phrases which were the Yentob and Nigel ropean intellectual of the old school, als of the Duke of core of his live commentary, while Williams. one of several talented emigres who Windsor, Viscount adding well chosen words off the cuff Stephen seemed found a home at the BBC. TOM FLEMING Montgomery, Lord as the event unfolded. to us, his young pro- I remember years after his retire- Tom Fleming, the BBC’s voice of the Mountbatten, King Paradoxically, Tom was a very pri- ducers, a formidably ment, we arranged to meet at a res- nation on great occasions, has died Olav V of Norway, vate person. He believed passionate- moral man. He ques- taurant one day. I walked in a little aged 82. He was a man of extraordi- Diana Princess of ly that the commentator should be tioned motives and late, and before I had sat down he nary talent; an actor, stage, televi- Wales and Queen heard as an anonymous voice and aspirations as if we launched into: ‘My dear fellow, good sion and film, a theatre director who Elizabeth the Queen Mother. should not be seen. It was a privilege were his own family, suspecting some to see you, have you read the new bi- founded both the Lyceum Theatre Tom’s words, which were par- to know such a remarkable broad- of us, rightly, of aspiring to be the ography of Wittgenstein?’ Company of Edinburgh and the Scot- ticularly poignant on solemn occa- caster, a warm and funny man, who Jean-Luc Godards and Ingmar Berg- To his puzzlement, I laughed, and tish Theatre Company. He was a writ- sions, set the mood and tone of the was held in great affection by all of mans of public service broadcasting. had to explain it was at the unthink- er and poet but was best known and event for the viewer. He cared deeply us who worked with him. We will Nevertheless, he had a gruff affec- able notion of any present-day execu- loved by the public as a broadcaster about Remembrance Sunday at the be forever grateful for all that he tion for the most exasperating of his tive starting up a lunchtime conver- – the voice of the BBC on state occa- Cenotaph. He particularly liked to brought to us and to the BBC’s cover- young Turks, dispensing praise and sation on Wittgenstein. sions for more than 50 years. bring out stories of individual peo- age of great national events. disapproval with equal vigour. There are several considerable His rich voice, unique style and po- ple to contrast with the anonymity of Philip Gilbert He had cut his teeth on documen- figures from that pioneering era etic way with words brought as much Whitehall. In 1965, I was with him, taries, and went on to create a then of tv, but few with Stephen’s mix to our national occasions as did the as a young producer, when for the new format, ‘the televised essay’, of critical judgement and personal live pictures over which he spoke. first time we had an additional live stephen hearst attracting large audiences for warmth, and none in my view who Tom’s first major commentary location, a small Surrey village. Tom To aspiring tv film-makers in the late series such as Kenneth Clark’s Civilisa- commanded more affection. was on the Queen’s Coronation in painstakingly researched the lives of 1960s, the newly formed arts depart- tion (1969) and Alistair Cook’s America Stephen Hearst (Hirshtritt), who 1953 and the final one on the Ed- the 12 named on the war memorial ment of the BBC was the place to be. (1972). He claimed he could tell with- was born in 1919, was also the BBC’s inburgh Military Tattoo of 2008. In and told how each had met their end In the middle of that decade, in 30 seconds of the beginning head of tv arts features, controller 55 years, among others, he covered for their country. Stephen Hearst was appointed depu- of a documentary whether or not its of Radio 3 for six years in the 1970s, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, the Roy- He was a man of great profession- ty to Humphrey Burton, the found- director was ‘a born film-maker’. controller of future policy and spe- al Weddings of Princess Anne and alism and integrity, meticulous in all ing head of music and arts, and Voluble and combative, he was cial adviser to director general. Prince Charles, the Enthronements his preparation for a commentary, becoming head of the department also courteous and without affecta- Leslie Megahey of Popes and Archbishops, Troop- determined to be accurate, doing in 1967 when he was put in charge, tion: during meetings his swimming ing the Colour, the Bafta and RTS his own research. He would arrive at not only of tv arts output, but also of trunks hung on his office radiator af- Reproduced (adapted) with permission of award winning VE and VJ Day com- the commentary box with sheaves of a new intake of trainees, including ter his daily visit to Lime Grove baths. the Guardian newspaper 12 Classified 020 7878 2313 a 11.05.10
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14 Jobs See Attachment
Snow fun Scotland Producer Suzanne Lord relishes another run with the Scotland News bureau This is my second stint in the Scotland bureau – I’m glad that this time I dedicated a lot of my packing space to thermals and a good selection of hats and scarves. Even though I grew up in Scotland, nothing could have prepared me for how cold this winter would be. Snow has been one of our major stories of the last few months and one of my biggest chal- lenges of this attachment so far. Knowing where to send the trucks and corre- spondents so that they are in the best place to cov- er the weather before it happens is very tricky. Then there is the problem of getting everyone home safe- ly at the end of the day, when they have to contend ‘Our team does every thing - which I love’ with the havoc the snow has caused. All I can say is I am glad that summer is on the way and I’ll be the first to volunteer for heatwave stories. They say variety is the spice of life, and it’s not just inclement conditions that get us out and about. Our team does everything, which is what I love about being here. One day we could be cover- ing the Scottish Parliament and the next broadcast- ing from Bass Rock surrounded by 150,000 pairs of breeding gannets. I can barely get my feet under my desk at PQ for the collection of wellies, waterproofs and walking boots needed to cover every eventuality. Last year, when I was in Scotland for the first time, it was extremely busy. We had the first con- firmed cases of swine flu in the UK, the release of the Lockerbie bomber and two helicopter crashes just six weeks apart. So far 2010 has also kept us on our toes. There is no such thing as a quiet day in the Scotland bureau, that is for sure, and being able to multi-task is a prerequisite for the job. Often you find yourself planning and setting up stories for the next day, week or month at the same time as pro- ducing channel lives and bulletin packages while standing up to your knees in snow. The hours are long – very long indeed and of- ten unsociable. There are only a few of us to cover a huge patch. While standing in the cold for hour after hour or getting a call in the wee small hours to deploy to a breaking story may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I love it. Although the first time around was hard work, being part of a fantastic team like the Scotland bureau meant coming back for round two was an opportunity too good to miss. Been anywhere nice? Send your attachment stories to Clare Bolt
14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL Affordable healthcare for only 1.50 a week. Think of it as a perk of your job.
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ÀÊÀiÊvÀ>ÌÊV>Ê >ÊÊäÓäÊÇÓ{ÓÊÓΣ£Ê ÀÊi>Ê°`ÛÀJ>Õ`iÌÜÀ°V 16 a 11·05·10 green room ▲ THE ARIELAT0R WE HEAR THAT. . . A weekly take on life at the BBC: Much tweeting predictably accompanied the ▲ who’s up, who’s down, who’s off more traditional election coverage on May 6. UPSIDE BBC Two of the choicest snippets came from the cast ▲ Oxford after- of The Thick of It, proving that they don’t need Ar- noon presenter Jo mando Iannucci to try a spot of satire. ‘This cov- ▲ Thoenes is set to erage is like the opposite of Just A Minute: speak be the ‘Next Big for ten hours with deviation, hesitation and ▲ Voice of Equestri- massive repetition,’ said Chris Addison, while anism’ after win- Rebecca Front had a novel solution for Broken ning the chance Britain: ‘I think all our lives would be improved ▲ to commentate at by having David Dimbleby on tv all day, every day October’s Horse in perpetuity. That’s the stability we’re craving,’ ▲ of the Year. Jo’s final challenge was an she said. interview and live commentary at the ▲ recent British show jumping champion- The other side of ships. Despite some curve-balls thrown the election: News- ▲ in by the judges to keep her on her toes, gathering’s Tony she triumphed over the other two final- Dolce and Chris ▲ ists thanks to her ‘clarity of voice’. ‘I was Buckler (right) a little nervous heading up there on the grab a precious ▲ train,’ says Jo. ‘But as for when I was 40 winks on the
commentating, I think I bypassed ‘fear’ Bassett Mark Photograph: Cameron all-night and went straight on to ‘survival’ mode.’ trail last week. ▲ We’re glad she wasn’t too hoarse from all the excitement… The BBC’s celeb- ▲ singing for filled election boat, ably helmed by Captain Andrew ▼ Neil, was such a hot ticket on election night that some people would do anything to get past the ▼ their supper bouncers. After a cheeky glance at the guest- The White City canteen, normal- ahead in their chosen careers. list, one blagger announced his name as ‘David ly filled with the sound of clattering ‘The teacher broke the ice very Hare’. He didn’t get in – turns out pretending to ▼ plates and cutlery, was instead bathed quickly and had us going around hum- be a critically acclaimed 63 year old playwright in the dulcet tones of more than 32 ming a tune. I never thought that you isn’t the best idea when you’re only 20… ▼ choir singers last Friday thanks to a could have so many people holding flashmob made up of singing staff. the same note,’ said Martin Asser of Another week, another new euphemism en- ▼ DOWNSIDE Staff at Wood Norton may The impromptu choir had re- FM&T, one of the merry minstrels who ters the corporate lexicon. A senior manager have to be issued earplugs unless the hearsed for only an hour before sur- all seemed to enjoy their time in the recently phoned Steria to enquire about his ex- ▼ local peacock – affectionately known as prising unsuspecting diners in their spotlight. penses, and was advised to contact book-keep- either Drew or Captain – finds himself a lunch hour with a stirring rendition of Alison Brennan from Radio News ing. He asked for their number but was told he ▼ lady friend. The unmistakable squawk- Somewhere Over the Rainbow. The even came in on her day off to take couldn’t be given one. Why? Because they are a ing sounds of the randy fowl have been event aimed to raise the profile of part. ‘I do sing, but I have never done ‘non-voice team’. echoing across the site’s leafy confines the BBC Performing Arts Fund, which anything like this before. I think it’s ▼ since last year and, with the arrival of ploughs money raised from phone great for staff morale, we should do it spring, have reached fever pitch. ‘He votes on the reality show into initia- every week,’ she said. Lunchtimes will ▼ spends most of his time patrolling the tives to help artists and musicians get never be the same again... area outside Bredon Wing or camped Get 25 percent off ▼ out above the building entrance,’ says operations co-ordinator Chris Girling. festival tickets ▼ Female peacocks – if you like what you see, you know where to go. win big weekend EARWIGGING tickets OVERHEARD AT THE BBC Radio 1’s annual Big Weekend fes- go out on Radio 1, and online at bbc. …Don’t bruise my tangerines… tival comes to Bangor in North Wales co.uk/radio1, with highlights on BBC on the weekend of May 22. Billed as Three and extended performances Gloucestershire’s Wychwood Festival …You voted Lib Dem to get the UK’s biggest free ticketed music on the Red Button. Radio 1 present- has teamed up with BBC Introducing to provide festival, 40,000 fans will be taking ers will be on hand to introduce the a new platform for emerging artists at the family back at your ex?… in performances across four differ- bands on stage and broadcast from friendly event. Taking place from Friday June 4 ent stages at the the thick of the to Sunday June 6 at Cheltenham Racecourse, the …It’s the kind of BBC job Vaynor Estate in action. partnership will see the third stage rebranded that gets advertised in the North Wales. Registration the ‘BBC Introducing… in Gloucestershire’ stage. The event has has now closed, Introducing shows from the six counties that Guardian and mocked in the a diverse range but we have five border Gloucestershire, plus the county itself, Daily Mail… of acts on the pairs of weekend have all been asked to nominate ten bands to be bill, ranging tickets to give on its bill. A judging panel including 6 Music’s …They’re my hung parliament from Rihanna away. To enter to Tom Robinson will then pick the 28 bands who shoes… to Crystal Cas- win a pair, answer will take the stage over the weekend and play tles, Vampire this question: alongside main stage acts like the Happy Mon- …I love the BBC when it works… Weekend to Which univer- days, the Levellers and the Lightning Seeds. Pendulum, and sity did Vampire From May 11 to May 17, BBC staff can get a 25 … ‘Do you have ADHD?’ ‘I have a Florence and Weekend meet percent discount on day and weekend tickets to small pair of GHDs.’ ‘No – ADHD is the Machine to at? Email ariel the festival. To get the discount, phone the fes- Fabio and Groo- competitions by tival box office on 01993 772580 and quote ‘Ari- different.’… verider. It will May 14. el’. See Wychwoodfestival.com for more info.
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