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dame helen mirren has expressed delight at the “brilliant” restoration of an iconic cello, which dates back to World War IIbefore its disclosure repair shop,is coming Christmas Specific.
The acclaimed actress, 80, was “excited” to watch the instrument be transformed by the show’s expert team, as shown in a BBC clip a show,
Mirren revealed that the cello belonged to Denville Hall, a care home in North London for entertainment industry professionals, which she supports.
He said the cello had been left at Danville Hall by theater director Martin Landau, and told the story of how it required restoration.
Landau, originally from Germany, fled the country at the age of 14 on the Kindertransport – a movement set up to evacuate Jewish children from Nazi-controlled areas.
Dame Helen said: “The one thing he wanted to bring with him was his cello.
“But before he could even get on the train, the Nazis brutally, deliberately, monstrously broke the cello.”
It has not been played for over 80 years, and Dame Helen wanted to see it restored so that it could be used in the care home to perform Christmas songs accompanied by a piano and to entertain elderly residents.
Dame Helen enlisted the help of expert Becky Houghton to give the cello some much-needed care of its own.
In the clip, the device can be seen creating cracks on its body and separating the neck.
Houghton described the cello as “beautiful”, and said: “I am very saddened that it has been treated so cruelly.”
Before the restoration was unveiled, Dame Helen could be seen smiling in anticipation, and said she was “so excited” to see it.
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When the green cloak covering the instrument was lifted, he gasped: “Hello.”
The actress called the repaired cello “wonderful”, and praised expert Haughton for his work: “Becky, it’s fantastic, very, very, very congratulations.”
The show is also set to feature special guests as children’s author Julia Donaldson and actor Rob Brydon.
Donaldson, 77, has written the book The Scarecrow’s Wedding, which has been made into a film to be shown on the BBC this Christmas, starring Gavin & Stacey star Brydon.
The pair are looking to renovate a toy farmhouse that was given to Donaldson by her grandmother.
The farmhouse was a much-loved toy of his and his sister’s, so it is full of childhood memories as well as the inspiration for the setting of some of his books.
The Repair Shop Christmas Special airs on Boxing Day at 7.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
The show is also looking for festive-themed items that need repair and restoration for next year’s Christmas special. Those wishing to apply should visit the BBC website.