 | Press ReleasesSix celebrities face musical challenge in BBC ONE's Play It Again |
Learning a musical instrument from scratch is the challenge facing six celebrities in a new BBC ONE series. Diane Abbott MP (classical piano), Jo Brand (organ), Aled Jones (rock drums), Bill Oddie (electric guitar), Frank Skinner (banjo) and Lord Robert Winston (saxophone) will be taken out of their comfort zones as they experience the highs and lows of learning to play a musical instrument. All are virtuosos in their respective fields but this series sees the tables turned as they become the novices and undergo musical tuition. The six-part series, due to be broadcast next year (2007), reveals the celebrities' emotional engagement with music through the learning process as well as revealing their hidden talents as musical performers. As part of their tuition, they also get hands-on tips and the chance to jam with some top performers including Jools Holland, Stewart Copeland, Courtney Pine, Mark Knopfler and John Dowling (USA banjo champion). And each participant will undergo the ultimate musician's test - performing in public. Their public appearances will include busking on London's Underground; serenading dancers in Blackpool; playing as part of an orchestra; auctioning new found guitar skills for charity or taking part in the world's biggest blue grass banjo competition. Play It Again will reveal much more than the celebrities' dedication and musical aptitude, it also delves into why they want now to explore the world of music and performance. Accompanying the television series will be a number of BBC events across the UK where thousands of people of all ages and abilities, beginners and those returning to a musical instrument, will have a chance to play or sing with members of the BBC Orchestras and BBC Singers. There will also be related Play It Again programming on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3. Notes to Editors None of the celebrities is currently available for interview in connection with this BBC series as it will not air until next year. TE | 
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