Aquarius Season 13 Episodes

Episode 1

Milligan 'n' Melly

The differing talents of George Melly and Spike Milligan are brought together to launch a new series. The episode lengths for this run were changed to 39 minutes, a duration that would be the default for the remainder of the programme.

Episode 2

Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue/Leonardo's Mona Lisa

39 mins

Humphrey Burton welcomes Kenneth Clark to deliver a lecture about the Mona Lisa, a guest who he later said went from having a demeanour that was "very chilly" to "sweetness and light". Did Clark really "have a snifter" before recording?

Episode 3

5th. International Festival of Youth Orchestras

39 mins

Episode 4

Memory Lane/"Sizwe Bansi Is Dead"/The Chinese Exhibition/A tribute to W.H. Auden

38 mins

Including a monologue from a South African play and poetry readings from Michael Hordern. There's also respects paid to W.H. Auden, who died five days before filming.

Episode 5

Jacob Epstein: Private Parts In Public Places

39 mins

An exploration of controversial sculptor Jacob Epstein, brought to life via a dramatisation, using his actual words and accounts of the people who knew him. Epstein is played by Lee Montague.

Episode 6

The Vienna Boys Choir/Carl Palmer/Christo's Valley Curtain

39 mins

Features include the return of Christo, the avant-garde artist who previously wrapped Sydney's coast. This time his plan is to erect a large nylon curtain over a Colorado valley.

Episode 7

Blarney & Bellini

42 mins

A special Saturday night edition ahead of the regular Sunday show: with the Wexford Festival due to take place again, the January film on the event is rescreened. Rather than a straight repeat, Humphrey Burton records a new introduction.

Episode 8

The Wolf Gang

39 mins

A profile of The Amadeus Quartet, celebrating 25 years together.

Episode 9

Women of Belfast/My Young Years/By Rhodes

39 mins

Aquarius offers a study of sculptor F.E. McWilliam, and Arthur Rubinstein discussing his life after a release of a book on his early years. There's also the work of fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, modelled by Bianca Jagger.

Episode 10

Hello Dali!

39 mins

An Emmy award-winning documentary that sees Russell Harty spending several days in the company of Salvador Dalí. The flamboyant artist shares some of his work, a glimpse of his wife, and some of his darker thoughts.

Episode 11

Pablo Casals 1876-1973: A Final Tribute

39 mins

A special tribute programme to Pablo Casals, who died the previous month. Produced in association with Granada Television, this edition includes personal footage of Casals, as well as in concert, and scenes of his funeral.

Episode 12

100 Years of Bicycle Posters/Narrow Boats in Still Waters

39 mins

A transport-based edition, with the main feature being a study of the canal-based Mikron Theatre Company. An amateur group who travel on barges to perform plays of their own devising, a documentary captures their lifestyle.

Episode 13

The Magic Maker

38 mins

A celebration of E.E. Cummings, with works performed by Diana Menuhin, Vincent Price and the Menuhin Orchestra. Of Price's involvement, Humphrey Burton later stated: "he had absolutely no side or self-importance despite his world fame."

Episode 14

The Lyricist as Poet/There's No Business....

39 mins

Aquarius looks at a side of showbusiness rarely covered: unemployment. With men only in work for an average of 14 weeks a year and women 11 weeks, the series follows three actors struggling to break into the business.

Episode 15

An Actor's Life for Me

Featuring a touring company where all those acting receive the same amount of pay - regardless of position or status.

Episode 16

Trouble in Tahiti: an opera in seven scenes

47 mins

A special production of Leonard Bernstein's opera in seven scenes: Trouble in Tahiti.

Episode 17

A Charm of Icons/The Martin Best Consort

39 mins

Featuring a look at the growing museum interest in the art of religious icons, along with music from the Martin Best Consort.