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22 Episodes 1975 - 1976
Episode 1
Theatre director Peter Hall steps in as the new presenter of Aquarius, travelling to the theatre of Epidaurus with architect Denys Lasdun. There's also Russell Harty meeting Gore Vidal in Rome, and a poetry reading from Seamus Heaney.
Episode 2
40 mins
Aquarius presents a feature on chef Paul Bocuse, opera in Glasgow and a performance by the Beaux Arts Trio. Yet Peter Hall already has doubts about taking on the role of presenter, noting in his diary: "I was wrong to do Aquarius at all."
Episode 3
39 mins
Russell Harty arranges the first-ever meeting between William Walton and Gracie Fields. Yet behind the scenes things were not so amicable, with presenter Peter Hall finding the film too exposing and "unnecessarily cruel".
Episode 4
39 mins
Peter Hall presents a film with Henry Moore discussing Michelangelo's David, and a dramatisation of a book from Portugal that had faced censorship in its home country.
Episode 5
40 mins
Featuring a performance of Beethoven by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta. Peter Hall, ditching suits for leather, noted before recording: "I think and hope I have now reached a peace in myself about the press."
Episode 6
39 mins
Aquarius travels to Athens to celebrate London's Greek Month. Behind the scenes, Peter Hall was getting support from the Chairman of LWT, who was advising him to "hold firm despite the criticism" he was getting.
Episode 7
Featuring an interview with Eileen Gray in Paris, and a film by Peter Hall about Makepeace. Hall would reflect on the relaxation of the experience, claiming it was a break from "the pressures and anxieties" of his theatre life.
Episode 8
38 mins
Aquarius introduces viewers to James Galway, a flautist from Belfast.
Episode 9
39 mins
Featuring a rare television interview with Francis Bacon, a man of whom Peter Hall would state: "I am sure Bacon is the painter of our tortured mid-century."
Episode 10
Ben Travers celebrates his 90th birthday with the West End premiere of his new play "The Bed Before Yesterday". Also featured is TV scriptwriter Brian Clark, leading a group of amateur performers in a play about Abergavenny.
Episode 11
A report on alternative theatre, with the "Welfare State" and "The Pip Simmons Theatre Group" both performing extracts from their work.
Episode 12
The David Essex film "Stardust" is adapted for the stage by a comprehensive school in Sunderland.
Episode 13
Russell Harty documents a day at the 1975 Highland Games in Glenfinnan. His film would go on to win the Golden Harp Award.
Episode 14
39 mins
An edition about the influence of dancers Isadora Duncan and Vaslav Nijinsky. Featured dancers are Lynn Seymour, Paolo Bortoluzzi and Carla Fracci, while a guest discussing the art is Clement Crisp, ballet critic from The Financial Times.
Episode 15
40 mins
Peter Hall condenses around two hours of footage down into forty minutes to present a profile of Peter Brook. Their complex relationship saw Hall describe the director as: "the man I know best and least [...] the coldest and the warmest".
Episode 16
39 mins
A profile of American sculptor Alexander Calder. Sequences include Calder's home movie, plus an interview where he chooses not to answer questions about his art. Passages from Calder's autobiography are read by Joss Ackland.
Episode 17
39 mins
The first of a two-part tribute to pianist Arthur Rubinstein, with footage of him playing, as well as the first half of an interview conducted at the Savoy Hotel.
Episode 18
40 mins
The second part of the Rubinstein coverage sees Peter Hall conclude what he referred to as "a happy hour and a half chatting to the maestro." Also featured is a performance by Rubinstein with André Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Episode 19
39 mins
A study of painter Euan Uglow and life models that stretches the boundaries between art and television standards - despite being scheduled in a 5:20pm slot in the London area, fully nude women are shown throughout.
Episode 20
38 mins
Aquarius receives exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Bernardo Bertolucci's new production "Novecento" (1900), including production rushes and interviews. Those interviewed include Bertolucci himself and Robert De Niro.
Episode 21
39 mins
Aquarius once more bends the line between art and the television watershed, as a 5:20pm timeslot sees a feature on the erotic art of India.
Episode 22
The end of Peter Hall's first series as presenter sees him joined by Denys Lasdun to discuss The National Theatre.