Reality TV kicks off at the Monastery
-09/05/05
A ground breaking BBC television programme featuring five men who volunteer to spend 40 days living in a monastery kicks off tomorrow.
The new three part series for BBC 2 is called The Monastery and was filmed at Worth Abbey in West Sussex.
It follows the remarkable journey of five people who are searching for a greater meaning to life, and to that end say goodbye to normal life to live alongside a 22 strong community of Catholic monks.
Father Christopher Jamison, Abbot of Worth Abbey said; ìThis project led us all ñ both the monks and volunteers ñ on a remarkable journey of discovery. At the heart of the experience was the desire to share the hidden depths of monastic life with people rooted in todayís culture. The results took us pleasantly by surprise.î
The five volunteers were drawn from diverse backgrounds and included a soft porn film producer, an ex-member of the UDA from Northern Ireland, a PhD student studying Buddhism, a legal publishing company executive and a retired teacher.
During their six week stay at Worth the men tried to observe the 1500 year rule of St Benedict which places emphasis on silence, obedience and humility. Volunteer, 29 year old Tony Burke from London said: ìGod meant nothing to me. He was an old geezer with a beard in illustrated text books or comedy sketches. He was a figure of fun and parodyÖSo I needed some convincing.î
The programmes have already stimulated widespread media interest and many of those who have previewed the programmes have been struck by the quality of this genre of television. A special audience response office has been set up to deal with the anticipated interest in the programmes and special follow-up materials have been created for individuals and schools.
The programmes are to be broadcast on BBC 2 at 9pm starting on May 10th. The community at Worth are offering viewers the chance to experience monastic prayer first hand by inviting them to attend Evening Prayers (known as Vespers) at the Abbey on the three Sundayís following the broadcasts. The gathering will start at 5.30pm with a welcome and introduction given by Abbot Jamison.