The Marvellous Miniature Workshop review – like all your Christmasses come at once

In the BBC’s latest reality show, model-makers recreate people’s most poignant places … only teeny weeny. Despite sounding like a total reach, it is endlessly charming and incredibly emotional. Let the weeping commence

There are two ways of looking at The Marvellous Miniature Workshop, in which artists who specialise in making (marvellous) miniatures of things recreate buildings and places that hold great meaning for ordinary people, who have stories to tell presenter Sara Cox about them. One is to consider that it sounds … a bit weird? A bit of a reach? Are miniatures really a thing? Do therapists ever recommend recreating your happy place at 1:24 scale? And does this new BBC commission have the faintest whiff of desperation about it, as the powers that be scour the creative industries for something that is not baking, pottery, sewing, knitting or Kirstie Allsopp festooned with festive ribbons and pine cones?

The other is to look at the premise and shout: “Making models of rooms and buildings that look like the originals but teeny-weeny?! Everlastingly charming! Endlessly fascinating! This is all my Christmasses come at once! Count me in! Sign me up! Inject the titchiness into my veins!”