Illuminations
@illuminations.bsky.social
Media producer of arts docs, screen performance; posts by John Wyver, Professor of the Arts on Screen, Univ of Westminster; broadcasting history, esp early TV, theatre, film, visual art
Images: Man w the Flower, ‘30 / de Stael, Le Saladier (detail), ‘54
Images: Man w the Flower, ‘30 / de Stael, Le Saladier (detail), ‘54
Pinned
Illuminations
@illuminations.bsky.social
· Jul 31
Magic Rays of Light
Magic Rays of Light is an original and ambitious history of the largely unknown early years of television in Britain. A detailed cultural study of the first dem…
www.bloomsbury.com
My book 'Magic Rays of Light: The Early Years of Television in Britain' can be pre-ordered from Bloomsbury here, currently with discounts on the hardback, paperback and e-book versions.
Publication 8 January, just ahead of the centenary of television in Britain.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/magic-ray...
Publication 8 January, just ahead of the centenary of television in Britain.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/magic-ray...
Reposted by Illuminations
OTD in early British television
The second 'Guest Night' on Mon 28 Nov 1938 discussed houses, with modernist architects Serge Chermayeff and Maxwell Fry, along with one supposed inspiration for James Bond, Merlin Minshall.
For more...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
The second 'Guest Night' on Mon 28 Nov 1938 discussed houses, with modernist architects Serge Chermayeff and Maxwell Fry, along with one supposed inspiration for James Bond, Merlin Minshall.
For more...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
OTD in early British television: 28 November 1938 - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Between an appearance by the ventriloquist D’Anselmi and a short programme called The Accompanist Speaks, with pianist Ivor Newton, television’s main offering on the evening of Mond...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:29 AM
OTD in early British television
The second 'Guest Night' on Mon 28 Nov 1938 discussed houses, with modernist architects Serge Chermayeff and Maxwell Fry, along with one supposed inspiration for James Bond, Merlin Minshall.
For more...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
The second 'Guest Night' on Mon 28 Nov 1938 discussed houses, with modernist architects Serge Chermayeff and Maxwell Fry, along with one supposed inspiration for James Bond, Merlin Minshall.
For more...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
OTD in early British television
The second 'Guest Night' on Mon 28 Nov 1938 discussed houses, with modernist architects Serge Chermayeff and Maxwell Fry, along with one supposed inspiration for James Bond, Merlin Minshall.
For more...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
The second 'Guest Night' on Mon 28 Nov 1938 discussed houses, with modernist architects Serge Chermayeff and Maxwell Fry, along with one supposed inspiration for James Bond, Merlin Minshall.
For more...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
OTD in early British television: 28 November 1938 - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Between an appearance by the ventriloquist D’Anselmi and a short programme called The Accompanist Speaks, with pianist Ivor Newton, television’s main offering on the evening of Mond...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:29 AM
OTD in early British television
The second 'Guest Night' on Mon 28 Nov 1938 discussed houses, with modernist architects Serge Chermayeff and Maxwell Fry, along with one supposed inspiration for James Bond, Merlin Minshall.
For more...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
The second 'Guest Night' on Mon 28 Nov 1938 discussed houses, with modernist architects Serge Chermayeff and Maxwell Fry, along with one supposed inspiration for James Bond, Merlin Minshall.
For more...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
Reposted by Illuminations
Magic Rays season: the documentaries
More on the screenings at BFI Southbank in January; go here for my first notes on the documentaries that we will screen on the 8th and 15th of the month.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-s...
More on the screenings at BFI Southbank in January; go here for my first notes on the documentaries that we will screen on the 8th and 15th of the month.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-s...
Magic Rays season: the documentaries - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: As noted earlier in the week, I have curated a screening season at BFI Southbank in January to tie in with the publication by Bloomsbury and the BFI of Magic Rays of Light: The Earl...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Magic Rays season: the documentaries
More on the screenings at BFI Southbank in January; go here for my first notes on the documentaries that we will screen on the 8th and 15th of the month.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-s...
More on the screenings at BFI Southbank in January; go here for my first notes on the documentaries that we will screen on the 8th and 15th of the month.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-s...
The BBC...
'said the decision was made after it received legal advice.'
Mr Bumble...
'The law is an ass.'
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
'said the decision was made after it received legal advice.'
Mr Bumble...
'The law is an ass.'
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC tells staff they cannot quote Trump line removed from Reith lecture
Journalists not allowed to repeat Rutger Bregman’s corruption claims against US president in coverage of edit
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The BBC...
'said the decision was made after it received legal advice.'
Mr Bumble...
'The law is an ass.'
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
'said the decision was made after it received legal advice.'
Mr Bumble...
'The law is an ass.'
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Magic Rays season: the documentaries
More on the screenings at BFI Southbank in January; go here for my first notes on the documentaries that we will screen on the 8th and 15th of the month.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-s...
More on the screenings at BFI Southbank in January; go here for my first notes on the documentaries that we will screen on the 8th and 15th of the month.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-s...
Magic Rays season: the documentaries - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: As noted earlier in the week, I have curated a screening season at BFI Southbank in January to tie in with the publication by Bloomsbury and the BFI of Magic Rays of Light: The Earl...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Magic Rays season: the documentaries
More on the screenings at BFI Southbank in January; go here for my first notes on the documentaries that we will screen on the 8th and 15th of the month.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-s...
More on the screenings at BFI Southbank in January; go here for my first notes on the documentaries that we will screen on the 8th and 15th of the month.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-s...
Reposted by Illuminations
At last! Our glorious recordings of Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! and Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty are finally available for streaming and digital download worldwide.
For Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, go here (and see comments for further links):
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/product/matt...
For Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, go here (and see comments for further links):
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/product/matt...
Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! NEW - Illuminations
With family-sized helpings of Matthew Bourne’s wit, pathos and magical fantasy, Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross's Orphanage, through a ...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 12:11 PM
At last! Our glorious recordings of Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! and Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty are finally available for streaming and digital download worldwide.
For Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, go here (and see comments for further links):
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/product/matt...
For Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, go here (and see comments for further links):
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/product/matt...
Reposted by Illuminations
On the world premiere of Jean-Luc Godard's Wild Palms: a revelatory ICA screening, intro'd by Michael Witt, of JLG's 'proposition' for a William Faulkner adaptation, with an interlaced showing of Made in USA and Two of Three Things That I Know About Her.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/jean-luc-god...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/jean-luc-god...
Jean-Luc Godard's 'Wild Palms' premiere - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: ‘What’s language, mummy?’ a small boy asks actor Marina Vlady (above,. top) playing a waking Juliette Jeanson in Jean-Luc Godard’s Wild Palms, the world premiere of which was held a...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:28 AM
On the world premiere of Jean-Luc Godard's Wild Palms: a revelatory ICA screening, intro'd by Michael Witt, of JLG's 'proposition' for a William Faulkner adaptation, with an interlaced showing of Made in USA and Two of Three Things That I Know About Her.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/jean-luc-god...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/jean-luc-god...
Reposted by Illuminations
“Please sit down before you read the next sentence. The BBC Written Archives Centre has no catalogue of its holdings available to the public…Earlier this year, the BBC suddenly announced that it was altering its archival access policy. Enquiries from the general public are now ignored.”
🗃️
🗃️
Who controls the past
The BBC is restricting access to its archives
app.the-tls.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:19 PM
“Please sit down before you read the next sentence. The BBC Written Archives Centre has no catalogue of its holdings available to the public…Earlier this year, the BBC suddenly announced that it was altering its archival access policy. Enquiries from the general public are now ignored.”
🗃️
🗃️
Reposted by Illuminations
Fascinating initial comments from John Wyver @illuminations.bsky.social after last night's Godard "world premiere" at ICA Cinema www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/jean-luc-god...
November 26, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Fascinating initial comments from John Wyver @illuminations.bsky.social after last night's Godard "world premiere" at ICA Cinema www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/jean-luc-god...
Reposted by Illuminations
Boswell and his wife climb to the ‘top of an old building in Seven Dials’ and a studio ‘furnished with fruit boxes from Covent Garden.’ They are ‘greatly impressed because the electric light had been cut off and we sat in candlelight.’
November 26, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Boswell and his wife climb to the ‘top of an old building in Seven Dials’ and a studio ‘furnished with fruit boxes from Covent Garden.’ They are ‘greatly impressed because the electric light had been cut off and we sat in candlelight.’
On the world premiere of Jean-Luc Godard's Wild Palms: a revelatory ICA screening, intro'd by Michael Witt, of JLG's 'proposition' for a William Faulkner adaptation, with an interlaced showing of Made in USA and Two of Three Things That I Know About Her.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/jean-luc-god...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/jean-luc-god...
Jean-Luc Godard's 'Wild Palms' premiere - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: ‘What’s language, mummy?’ a small boy asks actor Marina Vlady (above,. top) playing a waking Juliette Jeanson in Jean-Luc Godard’s Wild Palms, the world premiere of which was held a...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:28 AM
On the world premiere of Jean-Luc Godard's Wild Palms: a revelatory ICA screening, intro'd by Michael Witt, of JLG's 'proposition' for a William Faulkner adaptation, with an interlaced showing of Made in USA and Two of Three Things That I Know About Her.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/jean-luc-god...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/jean-luc-god...
Reposted by Illuminations
OTD in early British television
25 November 1937 saw short OBs from the Elstree film studios. This was day 3 of a 4-day visit, after outings to Pinewood and Denham.
For more on these visits and on the relationship between film and television then, go to:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
25 November 1937 saw short OBs from the Elstree film studios. This was day 3 of a 4-day visit, after outings to Pinewood and Denham.
For more on these visits and on the relationship between film and television then, go to:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
OTD in early British television: 25 November 1937 - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: After a lengthy hiatus and posts concerned with other matters, we need to return our attention to the pre-war television schedules. So let’s look back 88 years to Thursday 25 Novemb...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
OTD in early British television
25 November 1937 saw short OBs from the Elstree film studios. This was day 3 of a 4-day visit, after outings to Pinewood and Denham.
For more on these visits and on the relationship between film and television then, go to:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
25 November 1937 saw short OBs from the Elstree film studios. This was day 3 of a 4-day visit, after outings to Pinewood and Denham.
For more on these visits and on the relationship between film and television then, go to:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
OTD in early British television
25 November 1937 saw short OBs from the Elstree film studios. This was day 3 of a 4-day visit, after outings to Pinewood and Denham.
For more on these visits and on the relationship between film and television then, go to:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
25 November 1937 saw short OBs from the Elstree film studios. This was day 3 of a 4-day visit, after outings to Pinewood and Denham.
For more on these visits and on the relationship between film and television then, go to:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
OTD in early British television: 25 November 1937 - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: After a lengthy hiatus and posts concerned with other matters, we need to return our attention to the pre-war television schedules. So let’s look back 88 years to Thursday 25 Novemb...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
OTD in early British television
25 November 1937 saw short OBs from the Elstree film studios. This was day 3 of a 4-day visit, after outings to Pinewood and Denham.
For more on these visits and on the relationship between film and television then, go to:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
25 November 1937 saw short OBs from the Elstree film studios. This was day 3 of a 4-day visit, after outings to Pinewood and Denham.
For more on these visits and on the relationship between film and television then, go to:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/otd-in-early...
At last! Our glorious recordings of Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! and Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty are finally available for streaming and digital download worldwide.
For Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, go here (and see comments for further links):
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/product/matt...
For Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, go here (and see comments for further links):
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/product/matt...
Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! NEW - Illuminations
With family-sized helpings of Matthew Bourne’s wit, pathos and magical fantasy, Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross's Orphanage, through a ...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 12:11 PM
At last! Our glorious recordings of Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! and Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty are finally available for streaming and digital download worldwide.
For Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, go here (and see comments for further links):
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/product/matt...
For Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, go here (and see comments for further links):
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/product/matt...
An appalling decision.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 11:11 AM
An appalling decision.
Reposted by Illuminations
Exciting news: throughout January BFI Southbank has a season of documentaries and early feature films linked to the publication on 8 January of Magic Rays of Light: The Early Years of Television in Britain.
First details here...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-o...
First details here...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-o...
Magic Rays of Light: the BFI season - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Exciting news just released by the British Film Institute: throughout January BFI Southbank has a season of documentaries and early feature films linked to the publication of my mon...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Exciting news: throughout January BFI Southbank has a season of documentaries and early feature films linked to the publication on 8 January of Magic Rays of Light: The Early Years of Television in Britain.
First details here...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-o...
First details here...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-o...
Exciting news: throughout January BFI Southbank has a season of documentaries and early feature films linked to the publication on 8 January of Magic Rays of Light: The Early Years of Television in Britain.
First details here...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-o...
First details here...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-o...
Magic Rays of Light: the BFI season - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Exciting news just released by the British Film Institute: throughout January BFI Southbank has a season of documentaries and early feature films linked to the publication of my mon...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Exciting news: throughout January BFI Southbank has a season of documentaries and early feature films linked to the publication on 8 January of Magic Rays of Light: The Early Years of Television in Britain.
First details here...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-o...
First details here...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/magic-rays-o...
Spike Lee at excellent q&a after screening of Highest2Lowest this morning - and just before he went to the derby. Loved the film (apart from maybe the final 15 minutes), which is a quintessential NYC movie, and a movie about NYC movies: Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, French Coonection are its forbears.
November 23, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Spike Lee at excellent q&a after screening of Highest2Lowest this morning - and just before he went to the derby. Loved the film (apart from maybe the final 15 minutes), which is a quintessential NYC movie, and a movie about NYC movies: Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, French Coonection are its forbears.
Reposted by Illuminations
Today's Sunday dozen.
The BBC and André Bazin, Penda's Fen and Blossoms Shanghai, Hilma af Klint and Echo Delay Reverb, pity and fear, Gertrude Stein and Iris Murdoch.
And Joan Baez.
With a detail of a painting I wanted to steal from the Courtauld.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
The BBC and André Bazin, Penda's Fen and Blossoms Shanghai, Hilma af Klint and Echo Delay Reverb, pity and fear, Gertrude Stein and Iris Murdoch.
And Joan Baez.
With a detail of a painting I wanted to steal from the Courtauld.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Welcome to a selection of writing on television, film, visual art, the politics of images, dance and poems that I found stimulating over the past week. The image above is a detail o...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Today's Sunday dozen.
The BBC and André Bazin, Penda's Fen and Blossoms Shanghai, Hilma af Klint and Echo Delay Reverb, pity and fear, Gertrude Stein and Iris Murdoch.
And Joan Baez.
With a detail of a painting I wanted to steal from the Courtauld.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
The BBC and André Bazin, Penda's Fen and Blossoms Shanghai, Hilma af Klint and Echo Delay Reverb, pity and fear, Gertrude Stein and Iris Murdoch.
And Joan Baez.
With a detail of a painting I wanted to steal from the Courtauld.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
Today's Sunday dozen.
The BBC and André Bazin, Penda's Fen and Blossoms Shanghai, Hilma af Klint and Echo Delay Reverb, pity and fear, Gertrude Stein and Iris Murdoch.
And Joan Baez.
With a detail of a painting I wanted to steal from the Courtauld.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
The BBC and André Bazin, Penda's Fen and Blossoms Shanghai, Hilma af Klint and Echo Delay Reverb, pity and fear, Gertrude Stein and Iris Murdoch.
And Joan Baez.
With a detail of a painting I wanted to steal from the Courtauld.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Welcome to a selection of writing on television, film, visual art, the politics of images, dance and poems that I found stimulating over the past week. The image above is a detail o...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Today's Sunday dozen.
The BBC and André Bazin, Penda's Fen and Blossoms Shanghai, Hilma af Klint and Echo Delay Reverb, pity and fear, Gertrude Stein and Iris Murdoch.
And Joan Baez.
With a detail of a painting I wanted to steal from the Courtauld.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
The BBC and André Bazin, Penda's Fen and Blossoms Shanghai, Hilma af Klint and Echo Delay Reverb, pity and fear, Gertrude Stein and Iris Murdoch.
And Joan Baez.
With a detail of a painting I wanted to steal from the Courtauld.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
Terrific from @paul-hayes.bsky.social - and do click through the main post as well.
It was 62 years ago #OnThisDay in 1963 that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Breaking news - November 1963
BBC History recalls one of the first truly global news stories of the modern multi-media age
www.bbc.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Terrific from @paul-hayes.bsky.social - and do click through the main post as well.
Well this spectacular England collapse was well worth getting up for!
November 22, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Well this spectacular England collapse was well worth getting up for!