Arts magazine series produced by London Weekend Television, covering film, music, theatre and the visual arts across a run of seven years. Presented by Humphrey Burton, Peter Hall and Russell Harty among others, Aquarius took a magazine format, typically featuring several short films or segments per episode, though single-subject documentaries were also produced. A 1972 programme found Alfred Hitchcock in London to shoot Frenzy, interviewed by Burton; the following year, surrealist artist Salvador Dalí was the subject of an hour-long documentary in which he was accompanied by Harty.
Elton John was profiled as a rising British star in 1971, with footage of him performing "Tiny Dancer" captured before the song had been recorded. A programme on the musical Hair gave the series its theme tune, drawn from the show's song "Aquarius". Other subjects included a play about aviator Amy Johnson and a film on the life and work of composer Erik Satie.
When Aquarius ended in 1977, The South Bank Show took its place the following year, initially adopting a similar magazine format as ITV sought a more accessible arts programme.
Production Details
UK / ITV - London Weekend Television / 1970-1977
Presenters: Humphrey Burton, Peter Hall, Russell Harty,
