If you’re eyeing up what’s on the small screen this festive season, you might just be in luck as the BBC have today announced their Christmas line-up and there’s plenty for us theatre fans to enjoy!
On BBC One, Mischief Theatre’s The Goes Wrong Show will brings its unique and chaotic staging of the Nativity by the Cornley Dramatic Society to tell the greatest story ever told.
The cast of The Play That Goes Wrong
Dance lovers are in for a treat as BBC Two will run a special recording of Matthew Bourne’s Olivier award-winning adaptation of the legendary 1948 film, The Red Shoes. There is also plenty for fans of comedy to enjoy including a special episode of Upstart Crow as the cast prepare themselves for a Lockdown Christmas 1603; set during the plague.
There is plenty of culture and live performance over on BBC Four this year, including a specially filmed stage version of Uncle Vanya featuring Toby Jones, Richard Armitage, Rosalind Eleazar and Aimee Lou Wood; Katie Derham presents The Royal Opera All Star Gala, recorded in September, will star Aigul Akhmetshina, Charles Castronovo, Gerald Finley, Lisette Oropesa, Sonya Yoncheva, and Vito Priante performing much-loved classics; whilst The Royal Ballet All Star Gala, which was filmed in October and is presented by Anita Rani will reunite the full Royal Ballet Company with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House for the first time in seven months.
Uncle Vanya. (Photo by Johan Persson)
Charlotte Moore, BBC’s Chief Content Officer, says: “It’s never felt more important to help bring the country together to share, to laugh and to celebrate the festive season on the BBC. Let’s face it, it’s been a difficult year, unlike any other, so we’ve pulled out all the stops this Christmas to keep people entertained and bring comfort and joy when we need it most, with a range of unmissable programmes across our channels and BBC iPlayer. We’ll provide laugher with new comedy and entertainment shows, escapism with riveting new drama and natural history, heart and warmth with special episodes of your favourite shows, and companionship from many of the nation’s biggest stars. There’s something for everyone and as always it promises to be a very special time of the year on the BBC. There’s really no need to go anywhere else this Christmas!”
Stay tuned for dates and for more virtual theatre fixes, don’t forget to check out our online calendar here.