Canterbury Cathedral has, in the past year, had its every move filmed for a new BBC Documentary series. The three part documentary entitled ‘Canterbury Cathedral’ offers an exclusive look behind-the-scenes into the life and community of Britain’s oldest Cathedral.
Filming began in November 2013 and finished in the late summer of 2014. The small production team from the BBC’s Religion and Ethics Department were granted unparalleled access to the Cathedral; the end result was an astounding 250 hours of material which had to be whittled down and edited into three hours for television.
The series takes audiences inside the community that is the mother church of the Anglican Communion. Viewers will glimpse an insight into the workings of the Cathedral, with access to the Dean and other clergy, together with the wider community of choristers (including the brand new all-girl choir), the stained glass conservators, stone masons, apprentices, and the many pilgrims who come here. Throughout the series, viewers will discover Canterbury Cathedral’s rhythms, history, fabric, rituals, music and treasures, and meet some of its international visitors.
The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury said: ‘Looking back to a year ago when we were first asked by the BBC whether a documentary might be possible, I remember a certain nervousness on the part of us all; but the team they sent us became part of our daily life and we got to know them well. The whole experience has been an enjoyable one and I very much look forward to the three programmes leading up to Christmas.’
‘Filmed during my first year at Canterbury, the series charts some of my earliest experiences here and is a memorable record of the events – and, even more, the characters – of those twelve months. The BBC team were brilliant at understanding the place and had an instinctive grasp of the rhythms and contours of its rich and colourful life’ commented the Canon Treasurer, Revd Canon Nicholas Papadopulos.
‘Canterbury Cathedral is far more than an ancient monument, far more, even, than a church. It does not impose anything on the millions of visitors that come for a thousand reasons, but few if any leave it unmoved. My hope is that we provide viewers with a fair and engaging insight into a team of people totally dedicated to the Cathedral and to maintaining not only its structure and grandeur but its mission too,’ David Waters, Assistant Producer of ‘Canterbury Cathedral’ says of the series.
‘Canterbury Cathedral’ will be broadcast on BBC2 at 9pm on Friday 12, Monday 15, and Friday 19 December 2014.
‘Canterbury Cathedral’ is a BBC Religion and Ethics Production. The Executive Producer is Julian Mercer and the Producer is Graham Johnston.
