The Piano (TV series)

The Piano is a televised British talent show competition, centred on piano performances. It is hosted by Claudia Winkleman with Lang Lang and Mika as judges. It is produced by Love Productions and aired on Channel 4 from 15 February to 15 March 2023.[1] The show’s overall "star performer" was Lucy Illingworth, a young blind girl who is also autistic. Illingworth went on to perform at the Coronation Concert and a commemoration of Fanny Waterman.[2][3][4]

This article is about the UK TV series. For the South Korean TV series, see Piano (TV series). For other uses, see Piano (disambiguation).

Format
Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Winkleman, the show's host
Mika
Judge Mika
Lang Lang
Judge Lang Lang

Amateur musicians are invited to publicly perform on street pianos in the concourses of major UK railway stations. Performances cover a variety of genres, with some performers accompanying themselves with vocals. Performed pieces include classical standards, contemporary chart hits, and original compositions.[5]

The competitive element is kept secret from the performers — the judges observe the performances from a nearby room, selecting one performer from each location to perform at an end-of-series concert at the Royal Festival Hall.[6]

Episodes
No. Air Date Location Viewing Figures
1 15 February 2023 St Pancras railway station 2.75m
2 22 February 2023 Leeds railway station 3.04m
3 1 March 2023 Glasgow Central railway station 2.73m
4 8 March 2023 Birmingham New Street railway station 2.55m
5 15 March 2023 Royal Festival Hall 2.48m

Reception

The Guardian awarded the first episode four stars out of five and asking if it could be considered "Bake Off for pianos".[5][7][6] The Mirror considered the show to be "brilliantly simple" and life-affirming.[8] In contrast, the i considered the show to be "aimless fluff".[9]

Spin-offs

Following the series' airing, Channel 4 commissioned a documentary about Lucy, a blind and neurodivergent 13-year-old who was the selectee from the Leeds episode and the "star performer" at the Royal Festival Hall.[10]

In March 2023 the global rights (outside of North America) to the series' format were purchased by the production company Fremantle.[11]

References
  1. "The Piano - UKGameshows". www.ukgameshows.com. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  2. "'The Piano' winner Lucy set to perform at Coronation Concert", Pianist Magazine, 5 May 2023
  3. Blue plaque unveiling for legendary Leeds pianist, teacher and competition founder Dame Fanny Waterman, 29 March 2023
  4. "Watch as inspiring blind girl, 13, who starred on Channel 4 show gives performs at plaque unveiling in Leeds". Yorkshire Evening Post. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  5. Hogan, Michael (3 February 2023). "'Bake Off for pianos': the spine-tingling talent show that makes people weep with joy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  6. Seale, Jack (15 February 2023). "The Piano review – Claudia Winkleman's new talent show is an utter delight". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  7. Snape, Joel (23 February 2023). "Tinkling the ivories and tugging the heart strings: is The Piano the most uplifting TV talent show ever?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  8. Hyland, Ian (23 February 2023). "Simon Cowell will be grinding gears over Mika's life affirming show The Piano". mirror. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  9. Bootle, Emily (15 February 2023). "Channel 4's The Piano is more aimless fluff to add to the Great British Hobby-Off". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  10. "Channel 4 The Piano star given own spin-off show after wowing viewers". MSN. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  11. Ramachandran, Naman (7 March 2023). "'The Great British Bake Off' Producer Love Productions' Format 'The Piano' Snapped Up by Fremantle". Variety. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
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