Harewood House was recently used as a major set for ITV’s Victoria series. The crew filmed across Yorkshire for several months during winter 2015/16; Harewood was fortunate enough to be one of the key locations. The production company, Mammoth Screen, used much of Harewood’s State Floor, Below Stairs and part of the Estate. There was some amazing set dressing transforming Harewood into Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace.
To celebrate the success of the programme, which has been ITV’s highest rated drama of 2016, the opulent rooms on Harewood’s State Floor will come to life with costumes from the programme. Outfits worn by Jenna Coleman who plays Queen Victoria will be displayed throughout the 2017 season.
Alexis Guntrip, Marketing Manager, Harewood House said:
“We are delighted to be exhibiting costumes from Victoria in 2017. We worked very closely with the production company throughout the filming period; this is the icing on the cake! The programme has created a lot of interest from visitors to Harewood already. The costume exhibition will provide a wonderful opportunity for period drama fans to become part of the story.”
Alongside the costumes, visitors will be able to explore this fascinating age through the eyes of three influential women. Lady Louisa, 3rd Countess of Harewood, Lady Charlotte Canning and Queen Victoria herself. See personal objects owned by Queen Victoria and her Lady in Waiting, Charlotte, and learn about how Lady Louisa altered the very fabric of Harewood House in a grand redevelopment.
New Victorian Harewood Tour
Inspired by the 2017 exhibitions, Harewood is offering a new group tour for parties of 15 or more. The one hour tour will be presented by Harewood’s expert guides and will include objects, personal letters and archival material from Harewood’s collection. Alongside the historical stories, groups can learn more about how Harewood prepares for filming in the house, what rooms were used in Victoria, and see the wonderful dresses worn by Jenna Coleman in the series.
Brownlee Tri is delighted to confirm that our Olympic heroes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee will be attending this year’s event on Saturday 24 September.
Back-to-back Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee and Olympic silver medallist Jonny Brownlee will be bringing their gold and silver medals from Rio 2016 to Harewood House, Leeds for their fourth annual legacy triathlon event.
Alistair Brownlee said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone at this year’s Brownlee Tri for what promises to be another great event. The countdown is on and we’re sure it will be another fantastic day.”
Jonny Brownlee added: “To see so many triathletes young and old taking part at a stunning venue in our home county of Yorkshire is amazing. Best of luck to everyone competing and we’ll see you there!”
More details on opportunities to meet and greet the Brownlee Brothers will be announced prior to the race.
Entries for Brownlee Tri 2016 close on Sunday 11 September 2016.
Registrations are still open for individual super-sprint and sprint distances, along with the exclusive youth-junior wave for 15-18 year olds and the Team Relay.
Whether it’s your first triathlon, an experienced racer or simply want a great day out, there’s something for everyone at Brownlee Tri 2016. Find out more or sign-up at www.brownleetri.com
Harewood House was recently used as a major set for ITV’s new series, Victoria. The crew filmed across Yorkshire for several months during winter 2015/16; Harewood was fortunate enough to be one of their key locations. Starring Jenna Coleman, the eight part series, which begins on 28th August, chronicles the life of Queen Victoria.
The crew used much of the State Floor, Below Stairs and parts of the Estate. Some areas will be more recognisable than others. Some amazing set dressing transformed Harewood into completely different locations including Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace.
In order to prepare for period dramas such as this, a lot of work is required in the house. Picture lights need to be removed from above paintings in the state rooms, book bandages which denote damage need to be disguised, clocks need to be wound down to avoid any unwanted chiming in the background, furniture needs to be moved to make way for set dressing, and light bulbs, carpets, porcelain and paintings all need to be removed and stored away safely; and so it goes on to prepare the house for filming. The House and Collections team catalogue the location of every single object which is moved to ensure their safety.
Below Stairs, work is also needed. Objects are removed and false walls, also known as flattage, are erected by the production company to conceal modern pipes and unwanted features.
Once the rooms are cleared and ready for use, the design team move in and the magic of television transforms the rooms and corridors. Every modern feature is disguised, from plug sockets to light switches, giving a truer reflection of the period. Paint colours are matched with our walls to make sure that coverings blend in seamlessly.
Furniture is brought in and the ingenious work of the set designers alter the rooms with which we are all so familiar. Chairs and tables bought cheaply at auction imitate fine pieces fit for a queen, rolls of fabric usually suitable for waistcoat lining imitate rich silks, and rented props add the finishing touches. Below Stairs, food decorates the kitchens and brings them to life.
Things begin to get really busy once the main production crew arrive. The car park is used as a unit base with trucks brought in to cover every aspect of the production. The mobile studio includes hair, makeup, costume, and catering to name but a few. Lighting, camera, and toilets trucks are parked closer to the house so that the crew have easy access to their equipment (and the facilities!).
The lighting itself is a huge undertaking, particularly during winter. Often night-time needs to appear as day, and daytime needs to appear as night! Scaffolding rigs are erected to beam large lights into the rooms. Cherry pickers are also used to get light into awkward and high places in the house.
Inside the house, the crew bring in all sorts of special effects equipment to help create the scenes they are filming. Hazers are used to create a soft, smoky light, and fake fires are lit in our fireplaces. A professional firefighter is always on site to make sure there are no problems and to oversee the operation.
For a period drama such as Victoria, the costumes are immaculate and historical accuracy is considered at every point. From fake mutton chops to elegant jewellery, the costume department have their work cut out for them ensuring perfection in every scene. Once dressed, images are taken of the actors to ensure consistency in each shot.
Only now do the actors arrive on set and get in position to rehearse. Naturally, there is some downtime. It’s a truly wonderful sight to see a footman dressed in full regalia checking out his iPhone.
And action! Once the cameras start rolling the bustling house falls silent. Everyone is forced to whisper (if talking is absolutely necessary), and to tiptoe quietly across the old, creaky floorboards. Mobile phones are on silent, radios are turned down and any noise from outside is ceased. The directors and actors now take centre stage to bring the story prepared in the scripts to life.
For all of us at Harewood, the Victoria production has been made even more special because of Harewood’s own connections with Queen Victoria. As Great Grandmother to Princess Mary, Countess of Harewood, we are fortunate enough to care for personal objects which Victoria owned. Pieces include a wonderful English School miniature of Queen Victoria replicating a Franz Xaver Winterhalter portrait, a writing set she owned, and a watercolour she herself painted. These objects will be on display in 2017 as part of Victorian Harewood alongside costumes from the production.
We are looking forward to seeing the programme air and we hope that you’ll be able to spot Harewood during the series.
They did it! Team GB’s Alistair and Jonny Brownlee secured an historic Olympic triathlon 1-2 on the Copacabana Beach in Rio last Thursday, with Alistair taking gold finishing in 1:45:01, six seconds in front of Jonny who secured silver.
Alistair becomes the first triathlete to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals after his triumph in London 2012, with Jonny bettering his bronze medal from four years ago.
Instead bronze went to South Africa’s Henri Schoeman, but it was the Brownlee Brothers who created one of THE moments of the Games and with it triathlon history, ending with an emotional finish-line embrace after the pair had given it everything.
Commenting on his momentous victory, Alistair Brownlee said,
“I was pretty confident we would get first and second but I didn’t know which way round it would be. I just had the edge on Jonny but he has killed me in training and I have been going through hell. It has been so hard. I have woken up in pain every day. The swim wasn’t that quick but we knew the first two laps on the bike would be crucial. The last few weeks we have been training to commit and, boy, we did. As soon as we got to halfway I knew we were going to get two medals and it was just a run for it.”
Post-race Jonny Brownlee said:
“I’m used to getting beaten by him, but at the start of the day the dream was to get gold and silver and that is what we have done. We had a plan and really committed, and when Alistair pushed on I thought it I would be risking a medal to go with him. Maybe in four years if he is older and greyer he will be that bit slower… but maybe he won’t be.”
A huge congratulations from everyone at Brownlee Tri to both Alistair and Jonny on their fantastic achievements at Rio 2016.
Don’t miss the chance to see the newly crowned Olympic gold and silver medallists next month and be part of their legacy triathlon – Brownlee Tri – on Saturday 24 September at Harewood House, Leeds.
Entries are still open for individual super-sprint and sprint distances, along with the exclusive youth-junior wave for 15-18 year olds and the Team Relay. Whether it’s your first triathlon or you’re an experienced racer, there’s something for everyone at Brownlee Tri 2016.
Science and technology are not topics typically associated with historic houses or their inhabitants. They are often well known for their fine furnishings and great works of art, but it is perhaps quite unusual, and unexpected, to think of them as thriving hubs of technological advancement.
New research undertaken at the University of Leeds has focused on the unique relationship between country houses and the history of innovation and experimentation. With inhabitants who could often afford to invest financially and socially in new and somewhat mysterious technologies, country houses became some of the earliest venues for the installation of electrical appliances. They also exposed its householders (sometimes reluctantly) to the enormous social change and development that these innovations brought with them.
Harewood House Trust, in collaboration with Dr Michael Kay from the University of Leeds, has recently been awarded a grant of £5000 from The Culture Capital Exchange to research and explore the little known story of electrification at Harewood House. Initial research has established a basic timeline of electrification and has already revealed some fascinating stories: from the intriguing routine of Harewood’s Lamp Man to the curious practice of employing electricians to ‘stand by’ during dinner parties.
The first phase of the House’s electrification took place in 1901, commissioned by the 5th Earl of Harewood. Archival evidence shows that there was seemingly fierce competition between early electrical contractors to obtain the job, and the merits and weaknesses of utilising hydropower was carefully considered. The installation of electricity was continued in the early 1930s when the 6th Earl of Harewood and his wife, Princess Mary, moved into Harewood House. The Princess Royal made a specific request for electric lighting in her new dressing room along with other modern conveniences, such as the installation of a lift and the purchase of a Hoover vacuum cleaner was made.
Dr Kay’s interesting research will inform a number of workshop events at Harewood House and the University of Leeds, featuring a short drama performance exploring the story of electrification from the perspective of staff and servants.
Join us on the 21 August at Harewood for a day of illuminating activities that will explore the theme of electricity within the House. You will be able to try your hand at making cup and string telephones in our crafts activity, and also have a go at a new technology trail. Our family friendly drama performance, taking place in the Steward’s Room, will be followed by an opportunity talk to the characters and ask them questions. Participants will then be able to handle some early electrical equipment with Dr Kay and Harewood staff. There will also be a special display of Harewood’s historic light fittings and related archival documentation, both Below Stairs and on the State Floor, as well as a 10 minute Discovery Talk focusing on Dr Kay’s research. https://cpff.ca/wp-content/languages/new/zovirax.html https://cpff.ca/wp-content/languages/new/nexium.html https://cpff.ca/wp-content/languages/new/plavix.html
Similar workshops will also be taking place at the University of Leeds on 11 August for Year 5 and 6 pupils from the IntoUniversity charity‘s summer educational programme, and 11 September as part of the Heritage Open Days programme.
