BBC One Welcomes 'A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong'

The Mischief Theatre Company are to return to the BBC One this festive with their own unique take on the Charles Dickens' classic tale – even if the BBC don't know it yet.

Following 2016's 'Peter Pan Goes Wrong', the Olivier Award-winning company was blacklisted by the BBC after ruining the legendary story. However, the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are not taking the ban lying down and are bringing themselves back to the BBC by hijacking the jewel of the Christmas schedule, a 'live' production of A Christmas Carol staged by a professional cast.

The following hour finds the Cornley gang trying to make the show work on 'live' television as they soon realise that they are out of their depth, with no idea how to direct a live studio or handle special effects. This is not to mention the internal rivalries that are also revealed on television and, of course, the angry professional cast trying to get back into the studio.

'A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong' will be produced by BBC Studios and will feature guest stars (soon to be announced), and the Mischief Theatre Company. The Mischief Theatre cast are David Hearn, Chris Leask, Henry Lewis, Charlie Russell, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields, Greg Tannahill and Nancy Zamit.

Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, are the writers behind A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong. The Executive Producers are Steven Canny for BBC Studios and Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd. The Producer is Alex Walsh-Taylor, with Richard Boden as Director.

Mischief Theatre's 'A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong' is a BBC Studios Production for BBC One and is being filmed at MediaCity UK, Salford.

Shane Allen, Controller Comedy Commissioning at the BBC, said: "This promises to be a viewing treat for all the family as the Dickens classic gets the full Mischief treatment. Expect chaos and a shambles from start to finish, a bit like most people's experience of Christmas itself."

Chris Sussman, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios, added: "It's going to be terrible. I can't wait to see it."

Henry Lewis, Mischief Theatre Artistic Director, commented: "We're absolutely thrilled to be back on the BBC this Christmas, but it is regrettable the BBC don't know it yet."

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP/MH)