New Series Of The Crystal Maze Confirmed

Channel 4 has confirmed that a new series of hit game show The Crystal Maze is to be made.

The 20x60' series will be made at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol and will be hosted by new 'Maze Master' Richard Ayoade. The run of episodes will also include a set of celebrity specials for the Stand Up To Cancer campaign.

Fizz, RDF Television's entertainment label, has chosen to base the show at the Bristol studios. A purpose-built maze spanning more than 30,000 square feet is being created by the original Crystal Maze designer, James Dillon. It will be constructed in previously un-filmed areas of the Studios.

Jane Wilson, Director of Production at RDF Television, said: "I first visited The Bottle Yard years ago and I immediately knew it would be perfect for something and that 'something' has turned out to be The Crystal Maze. The scale, atmosphere and versatility of the space perfectly compliment the iconic status of the original show. The Bottle Yard's unique features and the actual fabric of the building itself will be incorporated into a fantastic new set. Clearly we were made for each other. Fiona and her team run the place with unflappable professionalism and could not have been more helpful or accommodating. We are delighted to be working with them and other companies based on site to realise the rebirth of The Crystal Maze."

Fiona Francombe, Site Director at The Bottle Yard Studios, added: "The Crystal Maze is an incredibly important booking for The Bottle Yard – one of the UK's most popular ever gameshows which has stood the test of time and is now set to gain a whole new generation of followers. RDF Television needed a considerable amount of space they could really make their own, and large-scale, flexible space is something we do very well at the Studios. The areas in the Main Warehouse they will be using have previously mainly been used for set construction and prop storage, so for us to see new life being breathed into them, and for it to be a set on this scale for a show of this profile is tremendously exciting. We're so proud to have secured this opportunity for The Bottle Yard and for Bristol to be home to the new Maze."

Neale Simpson, Creative Director at Fizz, commented: "It was a huge privilege to bring this channel-defining show back as a special for Stand Up To Cancer. We're thrilled at the prospect of building a maze to the scale and cinematic spectacle of the original, and our hope is to bring a new vision to the legendary time travelling adventure that will excite the next generation of viewers."

The Crystal Maze will be executive produced by Peter Usher and Neale Simpson for Fizz and has been commissioned by Tom Beck, Commissioning Editor for Entertainment, and Head of Entertainment, Ed Havard. The Crystal Maze is a Banijay Group Format.

Producers are now looking for teams of five contestants who have what it takes to navigate the Aztec, Medieval, Industrial and Future zones of the maze. They will face a range of skill, mystery, physical and mental challenges to win crystals that equate to time in the final test – the legendary Crystal Dome. Details of how contestants can apply will be announced shortly.

www.thebottleyard.com

(JP)