A behind-the-scenes documentary about the popular 1970s talent competition, New Faces.
This one-off special programme documents the hopes and fears of some of the thousands of performers who audition each year for ATV’s popular talent show. The film follows a selection of aspiring acts through the gruelling audition process, providing a rare look at the mechanics of light entertainment television. The judging panel, featuring influential figures from the music industry such as Tony Hatch (Tony Hatch) and Mickey Most (Mickey Most), along with journalist Clifford Davis (Clifford Davis) and veteran comedian Arthur Askey (Arthur Askey), assess the hopefuls.
Capitalising on the public’s fascination with its flagship talent show, ATV produced this revealing, and occasionally unvarnished, documentary. The title itself suggests the emotional toll of the audition circuit, and the film stands as an early example of television turning the cameras on its own production process. Rather than simply presenting finished performances, the programme scrutinises the frequently brutal reality of seeking fame. It is a precursor to the modern reality television format, finding its drama not in scripted narratives but in the genuine anxiety and ambition of ordinary people submitting themselves to professional judgment.
Broadcast: ITV – ATV, 1 Episode, 12 August 1974
Programme Associate: William P. Cartlidge
Produced and Directed by: John Robins
Main Cast: Paul Stewart Laing, Arthur Askey, Tony Hatch, Mickey Most, Clifford Davis, Francis Mallon, Johnny Patrick
