The Repair Shop star reveals what happened when Helen Mirren stepped into the show for a heartwarming reason

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Dame Helen Mirren is a huge fan of The Repair Shop.

She described it as uplifting and a welcome source of good in a world that can often be discouraging. She then arrived at the barn carrying a cello that once belonged to her friend, the famous theatre producer Martin Landau.

When he escaped to Britain at age 14 on the Kindertransport, Nazi guards damaged his cello, breaking its neck. Despite the damage, Landau carefully preserved the instrument before donating it to Denville Hall, a care home supported by Dame Helen, for the benefit of those who had worked in the entertainment industry.

Luthier Becky Houghton explains how she got the instrument singing again.

How was the cello when you received it?

I was immediately disappointed. The wooden item was lovely, clearly made over two centuries ago, but it was in terrible condition. The neck was missing, and the whole thing was falling apart. It was covered in old paint and plaster, and the wood itself was extremely dry and fragile.

When I opened the case, it was clear it had been badly damaged. There were cracks all over, and many parts needed to be re-glued. The button that holds the neck in place had broken off completely, making the repair quite daunting.

Did you feel emotional repairing it?

Wood has a wonderful feel to it, almost like it absorbs history. This cello clearly needed some care and attention to restore it. It was the most challenging repair I’ve ever tackled. I became completely immersed in the process, working late into the night – I was obsessed with bringing it back to life, and I refused to give up.

What was Dame Helen’s reaction when she came to collect it?

She was truly struck by the barn’s beauty and immediately felt a connection to the cello, as if it were a cherished companion. The moment was deeply moving and delightful. We were thrilled to surprise her with a performance by cellist Raphael Wallfisch in that beautiful setting.

How did it feel to hear it played?

I was anxious while working on it, but once it was finished, it sounded beautiful. You never truly know if a repair is successful until the instrument is played, and unfortunately, I don’t play the cello. If I hadn’t fixed all the cracks correctly, it would have produced a buzzing sound. Seeing it finished, I felt not just relieved, but incredibly proud and happy.

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Authors

Robin Parker

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2025-12-19 14:34