On a recent episode of BBC One's Spooks a clandestine drop-off is set for The White Cube gallery in Hoxton Square. Lucas arrives and is greeted by the receptionist with an alluring, if demure, smile. Not so surprising for someone to be received in this way perhaps, but this is perhaps the biggest step into the world of fantasy so far for this far-fetched spy drama.
You see, I have been popping into the White Cube gallery each month for years. It is just around the corner from our studio so there is really no excuse. Some of the exhibits are good, some not so impressive, but one thing that I have always noticed as totally consistent is the lack of welcome, the cold unfriendly atmosphere and the seemingly purposeful eradication of any chance of human interaction. This is a cold, leaden, unhappy space.
Anyway, back to the BBC. The production team must have lifted the receptionist's chair, lowered the barricade, tidied up the backdrop to set off the receptionist and make real human interaction possible. The current real experience is very different....
