Killing BBC orchestras: The W1A episodes
NewsIf you have access to the BBC i-player, there are two episodes of the self-satirising comedy series W1A you can’t afford to miss.
In series 3 episode 3, BBC executives discuss a plan to merge the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the BBC Scottish Symphony into a cost-saving Celtic Sinfonietta.
In the following episode, the BBC faces uproar for trying to abolish the BBC Big Band on the eve of its Jamaican conductor’s 75th birthday.
Both episodes are now playing out in real time on the top floor of Broadcasting House as they push through cuts to three BBC orchestras and the abolition of the BBC Singers.
Better watch these episodes fast before the suits take them down.
Here’s a taster:
More of Less – Orchestras pic.twitter.com/1Ax7avcGqC
— David Taylor (@DavidTaylor_uk) March 9, 2023
I got it: borthday. nice typo here.
And is that Lord Grantham in the photo?
It is indeed – the great Hugh Bonneville.
Of course, the BBC Big Band had folded by then, I think? It was actually the Celtic Symphonieta – the spelling was continually referenced in the episodes.
Fortunately I have the series on DVD. And yes, it is Lord Grantham playing a wonderfully baffled “suit”. It reminds me of Sir Adrian Boult wanting a third flute player for a BBC Symphony Orchestra concert and getting the reply “couldn’t the other two play louder?”
Thank you
If I had my way, anyone using the kind of language the director of content recently used in her explanatory press release would be out on their ear.
Brilliant episodes, seen them already (they’re on DVD)