Filmed at the public contemporary art gallery in June, the event drew over 2,000 people to Colchester, all eager to have their antiques appraised by Fiona Bruce and the Roadshow team.
This marked the first time in eight years that the flagship BBC production had visited Essex.
In addition to exciting valuations and hidden treasures, the episode will delve into the history of Firstsite. Winner of the ‘Art Fund Museum of the Year’ in 2021, the construction of the unique crescent-shaped building was designed by award winning Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly and provides the backdrop to an hour of summer treasure searching and fact finding.
The programme will also highlight Firstsite’s own treasures, which are free to visit all year round. This includes the Berryfield mosaic, one of the country’s greatest Roman artefacts that was unearthed in 1923 and lies at the heart of the building.
Essex will also take centre stage with a discussion of Michael Landy’s towering Essex Man (after Collet) (2021), which stands in Firstsite’s Welcome Area Originally created as part of the artist’s Welcome to Essex exhibition, the piece references the Sunday Telegraph’s famous Essex Man drawing.
Firstsite Director Sally Shaw MBE said: “We had a fantastic time hosting Fiona Bruce, the Antiques Roadshow team, and over 2000 visitors for a special day at Firstsite.
“As well as seeing some surprising items brought in by the public, we’re also looking forward to more people discovering the treasures inside our gallery. We hope the Antiques Roadshow episodes filmed at Firstsite, and around the city, inspire new visitors to experience Colchester and our building in-person after seeing it on the small screen.
“With our free exhibition programme, which currently features everything from family-friendly space and science explorations to the artistic history of Essex, along with our upcoming Leonora Carrington show—and the amazing architecture of the building itself—there’s something for everyone to experience and enjoy here. Plus, there’s the incredible history, creativity, and culture throughout Colchester to explore during your visit!”
The show will be available on BBC iPlayer after the broadcast. Subsequent episodes filmed at Firstsite will be shown in the coming months.
Images:
1. Fiona Bruce at Firstsite, © BBC Studios 2. Expert – Ronnie Archer-Morgan (Right), Contributor (Left), A Roadshow guest is astonished to find out the value of her ceremonial war club, © BBC Studios. 3. Expert – Frances Christie (Left), Contributor (Right), Frances Christie is thrilled to see a signed Damien Hirst spin painting, © BBC Studios
