The Royal College of Physicians, the conference and events venue overlooking London’s Regent’s Park, is the key location in the last two episodes of the BBC’s popular ‘Silent Witness’ series, to be screened next week. It’s the latest of several recent occasions in which the Grade 1 listed venue has been the location for a significant media event.
The Silent Witness episodes will be transmitted on BBC1 and BBC1HD on Monday 31 January and Tuesday 1 February. For filming, the RCP was transformed for a few days into the 'Royal Netherlands Embassy’, acting as the focus for a particularly dramatic, action-packed storyline.
Dramatic and historic
One of the main reasons for the selection of the College as the location for ‘Silent Witness’ was its dramatic architecture. Opened in 1964, it is a Grade 1 listed building which won the Royal Institute of British Architects’ medal. Filming inside the College took place in its main reception area and in a number of its most important and distinctive locations, including its Dorchester Library, which houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of medical book and documents; its spectacular Council Chamber; and its historic Censors’ Room, the centrepiece of the College’s ceremonial events. All these locations are available for conferences, meetings, dinners and other events.
Careful timing
The College is one of London’s leading venues, with events happening almost every day. The timing of the filming was therefore carefully calculated to eliminate the risk of disruption, using two weeks in August when business activity was relatively low. The only significant change experienced by visitors was the temporary repositioning of the building’s reception area. “People using the college for business purposes were fascinated to be able to see the filming taking place – it actually added another dimension to their visit,” said Clive Ostler, the College’s General Manager, Marketing & Facilities.
Filming for “Silent Witness” was the fourth time recently that the BBC has used the RCP as a setting. It was the location for the prestigious Dimbleby Lecture 2010 and hosted one of the finals of “MasterChef: The Professionals”. It also provided a location for an episode of the BBC’s recent ‘Material Girl’ romantic comedy, for which the Council Chamber, capable of holding events for up to 70 people, was ‘converted’ into a ‘Fashion Council’ meeting room for a key scene. The College also played a role in the production of latest the 'Nanny McPhee' feature film, for which The College's facilities were as a make-up and wardrobe centre for more than 100 extras who were involved in the shoot.
Popular displays
The Royal College of Physicians offers a unique array of purpose designed conference facilities include lecture theatres, modern and historic meeting and seminar rooms, and a versatile range of exhibition spaces and dining facilities.
Events are enhanced by the unique heritage of the College: its treasures include manuscripts from the 12th Century, some of the earliest printed books; paintings and sculptures by major artists; a magnificent silver collection; a unique collection of medical artefacts; and a medicinal garden, the largest in the UK, which is increasingly popular for outdoor events such as receptions and barbecues.
The College regularly arranges special tours and exhibits at the request of conference customers: this month is significantly extending its facilities by installing several new illuminated display cabinets.
The revenue generated by the RCP’s Events activity helps to fund the College’s many significant activities in improving the quality of healthcare.