The BBC is putting on free advance screenings in the north of England of two of the most eagerly-awaited Christmas shows – Dr Who and The League of Gentlemen.
As well as Peter Capaldi's final Doctor Who, there will be two opportunities for comedy fans to attend a local screening for local people and see the first of three new episodes of cult favourite The League of Gentlemen.
And in two cities, children will be able to get an exclusive preview of an animated version of the classic book The Highway Rat.
Starting in Hartlepool and finishing just before the big day in Bradford, the Christmas tour will take in eight locations across northern England.
Fans will also be able to pose for photos on the BBC’s red carpet and with props from the programmes.
The free tickets will be available through a ballot which will be open from Thursday 23 November for 10 days via the BBC Shows and Tours website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/bbc_north_preview_screening_tour. The ticket ballot will close on Sunday 3 December. Tickets will be allocated via a random draw with a percentage going to local postcodes and a percentage going to the rest of the UK.
Much-loved comedy The League of Gentlemen returns to BBC Two this Christmas with three brand new episodes to celebrate the group’s 20th anniversary at the BBC.
Once again, the three performing members of the League – Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton and Mark Gatiss – will be playing a veritable host of bizarre and darkly comic characters inhabiting the fictional Northern town of Royston Vasey, in scripts written by themselves and co-creator Jeremy Dyson. The first episode will be shown in Hartlepool on December 14 and York on December 15.
The Highway Rat, produced by Magic Light Pictures, is an animated version of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler favourite about a greedy rat who steals food. Children will be able to see it in Newcastle and Hull.
Adrian Mills, General Manager of BBC North says: “We can’t wait to bring this wonderful seasonal programming direct to our audiences in the North and we’re sure they’ll enjoy this exclusive BBC content.”
The full schedule for the Christmas premiere tour is as follows:
Thursday 14 December
Hartlepool Town Hall
Doctor Who – 7pm
The League of Gentlemen – 8.30pm
Friday 15 December
The Guild Hall, York
Doctor Who – 7pm
The League of Gentlemen – 8.30pm
Saturday 16 December
Jubilee Church, Hull
The Highway Rat – 1.30pm
Doctor Who – 7pm & 8.30pm
Sunday 17 December
St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle
The Highway Rat – 1.30pm
Doctor Who – 7pm & 8.30pm
Monday 18 December
The Middlesbrough Empire
Doctor Who – 7pm & 8.30pm
Tuesday 19 December
Dock 10, MediaCityUK, Salford
Doctor Who – 7pm & 8.30pm
Wednesday 20 December
Durham School
Doctor Who – 7pm & 8.30pm
Friday 22 December
Old Odeon, Bradford
Doctor Who – 7pm & 8.30pm
