The pilot episode of a new TV series has been filmed in Cambridge, and casts the Fitzwilliam Museum in the leading role.
:: Take the Fitzwilliam Quiz here ::
The Quizeum is a new series for BBC 4, presented by Griff Rhys Jones. It features a different museum each week, and asks experts to identify various historical objects. Part quiz, part panel show, the quiz elements are creative and not taken overly-seriously, encouraging lively and educated conversation between the experts.
For some rounds of the quiz, artefacts will be brought to the table for questioning, while others will require the competitors to explore the museum on a treasure hunt. Each programme is tailored to the museum it is set in, with favourite rounds reappearing, but new ones being introduced to showcase the artefacts on offer.
Host Griff Rhys Jones says: “There are spectacular treasures in all of our museums. The Quizeum will uncover the stories behind some of the lesser-known ones. From Roman penknives to Canalettos, from enamelled reliquaries to model boats, we will be looking for connections, testing history, unearthing startling facts and putting real experts on the spot. And most of all, we’re on the road exploring fabulous collections in unexpected places. This is a really exciting series to be involved with – pure joy.”
The pilot pits Lars Tharp (Antiques Roadshow), historian and presenter Janina Ramirez, mathematician Marcus du Sautoy and art historian Dr Ayla Lepine against each other in a battle of intellect. Very Cambridge, we’re sure you’ll agree!
The first episode of The Quizeum is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.
