Valuable advice for the Antiques Roadshow at Hatfield House

11:38am Tuesday 13th July 2010

By Melanie Dakin

Intriguing objects, majestic stately homes, polished and professional experts and that iconic theme tune, nothing could be more quintessentially British than the Antiques Roadshow. All that gleam and glamour, however, could not happen without the tremendous amount of hard work going on behind the scenes.

Roadshow specialist Bunny Campione says visitors to Hatfield House this Thursday will find it a real eye-opener.

“It always amazes me when people come to the show for the first time and see what a lot goes into it,” says Bunny. “The team of general valuers on reception who sift through the items, the lighting technicians, cameras and crew. The pre-planning can start up to two years in advance.”

For a start, the producers have to find a house big enough to accommodate the lighting and sound technicians and several cameras for the main records, plus there’s a portable camera with Fiona and another with the director. At Hatfield it’s going to be an outside broadcast so we’re praying for it not to rain.”

Bunny specialises in automata, dolls, dolls’ houses, birdcages, costume and textiles, corkscrews, miniature furniture and soft toys. She worked at Sotheby’s for 23 years, was senior consultant to Christie’s from 1997 to 2002 and has been a member of the Roadshow team since 1987. For Bunny, meeting interesting people makes the job worthwhile.

Bunny will be joined at Hatfield House for her third programme in the new series by Paul Atterbury, David Battie and Eric Knowles. Along with the other members of the team they will be on hand to offer free valuations and advice to visitors.

“You really don’t know what will come next. It’s like opening a Christmas present. Some people bring in suitcases full of stuff such as porcelain, jewellery, a gun and a teddy bear. Sometimes we have to say we’re really sorry but we’d be here all night unless we can choose just three of your objects.

“It’s quite intensive. When I started I used to get a headache and neck ache as you tend to stay in the same position but the adrenalin kicks in and you have a great time. Then you’re completely washed out and drained the next day but we’re always polite to people because we’re not representing ourselves but the BBC and have to be very professional.”

Bunny tells me she most enjoys meeting people who are as fascinating as the objects they bring along.

“We’ve only just started the new season and there was the most lovely man from Brighton with Pollocks toy theatre. People are often more important than what they bring in. A dull person, who is very deadpan doesn’t make good viewing but here was this delightful man with his wife and he put on theatrical shows for children and he’d brought a thunderclap which you shake and I was doing the shaking and it fell apart.”

Returning for the third year to present the show is Fiona Bruce, who shares Bunny’s enthusiasm for the stories people have to tell. She says: “Presenting the Antiques Roadshow is, for me, one of those rare and very lucky coincidences in television when you get to work on a show that you already love to watch. Exploring the human story behind every object is what makes Antiques Roadshow so fascinating. And everyone loves the agony and ecstasy of the 'what's it worth? moment. The Antiques Roadshow isn't just about antiques - it's history, beauty and drama all wrapped up in one.”

1) Come prepared : At an outdoor Roadshow it could be wet and cold or hot and sunny and even indoor Roadshows can get very hot. Wear comfy shoes.

2) The doors open at 9.30am. You don’t need a ticket to attend. Entry is free. As long as you are in the main queue by 4.30pm you are guaranteed to see an expert.

3) Bring whatever items you want to know more about. It’s often the items that you think are worthless that are the most interesting. Don’t bring a whole teaset – just bring a cup and saucer, or even a drawer and photo of a piece of furniture

4) If a specialist is interested in filming your item they will fill out a request slip. If the producer says « yes » you will be given a timeslot and taken to the waiting room where you will find refreshments while you wait.

5) Often the Roadshow gets quieter in the afternoon – it might be a good idea to come after 2pm.