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Airdate: Secrets of the Museum

UK series takes viewers into the hidden world of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Next week ABC will premiere 2020 UK documentary series Secrets of the Museum

This 6 part series invites viewers into the hidden world of the Victoria and Albert Museum, going behind the scenes at the world-famous home of art, design and performance. The V&A is the world’s largest museum of applied and decorative arts and design.

Following the V&A’s specialist teams, Secrets Of The Museum will reveal the tricks of their trade: the painstaking craftsmanship and expertise involved in conserving, cleaning, loaning, acquiring and displaying some of the museum’s two million and more amazing objects.

From Christian Dior gowns to Queen Victoria’s coronet, and from Kylie Minogue’s travelling wardrobe to the logo of the Extinction Rebellion movement, the staff of the V&A handle it all.

Told through the day-to-day lives of the V&A’s dedicated and world-class team, the hidden history of each object will be uncovered: from how it was made and why it matters, to the important work of the museum in keeping these stories alive for future generations.

Episode one begins with the charming story of a hand-made children’s toy – Pumpie the elephant. Pumpie was made 100 years ago by the Cattley family in west London. Unfortunately he has suffered major moth damage over the years, and now needs urgent restoration.

Meanwhile curator Charlotte is on the case of a missing woman. The face of a beautiful 18th-century aristocrat has been meticulously painted in enamel on an ornate gold and enamel snuffbox – but nobody knows who she is. Charlotte is determined to get to the bottom of this question with a visit to historic Ham House.

Behind the scenes of the spectacular Christian Dior exhibition, Lillia and Lara are using their expert skill to create bespoke mannequins to display the gowns. Whilst in the performance galleries, rock and pop curator Vicky and conservator Susana are inside Kylie Minogue’s dressing room, which is on display as a time capsule of the star’s 2007 tour.

Finally, paper conservator Anne gets to grips with a colourful Victorian curiosity called a paper peep-show.

9:30pm Thursday September 17 on ABC.

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