Question Time: from the audience perspective
ease us gently into the process. Firstly, a simulated Question Time with a panel drawn from members of the audience. Then a warm-up question with the real panel. Finally, into the real broadcast.
We filed into the Grand Hall into seating arranged on scaffolding erected for the programme. There was the big “Q” with Scarborough written on it – the evening was about to begin!
The audience was, as they say, “up for it” and there was no shortage of volunteers for the audience panel. The purpose of this part was to test the sound, lighting and camera angles as well as to get the audience used to the microphones moving in to catch their comments. It was also useful in stirring the audience up to open discussion. The audience panel was very amusingly chaired by the floor manager who, although a serious subject was under discussion, kept the debate upbeat and fast moving. The subject discussed was chosen because it was not a topical item that week, so there was no danger of overlap into the matters discussed in the programme.
The audience panel returned to their seats and a member of the production team announced which questions they would be using. She explained that all questions submitted had been sorted into piles by topic. A question was chosen from each of the most popular topics. About six or seven people had their questions selected. The rest of us could now relax and enjoy the programme! In the end, there was only time to air four questions.
David Dimbleby came back to introduce the real panel. A warm-up session followed on the subject of minimum pricing for alcohol.
Slightly disconcertingly, the panel chairmen (Dimbleby and the floor manager) can hear the production team talking to them through their earpieces. They respond by talking out loud, resulting in strange, disjointed, one-sided conversations. Then the real programme began.
The questions covered Donald Trump’s State Visit, Brexit, arms to Saudi Arabia and the problems faced by coastal communities. The discussion was very fast-moving. I put my hand up once but the discussion moved on.
Watching the recording, I noticed that very little of the noise the audience makes comes across on the programme. Throughout the programme the audience was chuntering, agreeing and disagreeing with the discussion but very little of this is heard on the broadcast. I also noticed how much more focussed I was on the debate when I was physically present.
I have to confess, I did drop my attention a few times when watching the programme later.
Soon the hour was up. We all stayed in our seats, as requested, and didn’t get up and put our coats on during the closing music. A smooth production process and enjoyable evening. And how do they achieve that opening sweeping shot of the audience and the panel? I’m not going to tell you – you’ll have to join the audience to find out!