Sky Arts has three Christmas specials lined up, spanning the quintessentially British world of the pantomime, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and including Matthew Bourne’s dance production of Tim Burton favourite, Edward Scissorhands.
Sky Arts, with Cornerstone Studios, goes behind the curtain with English National Ballet and their world premiere of a brand new production of Nutcracker. Having performed a version of the festive ballet every year since it was founded, this year sees the Company take a fresh approach, and the pressure is on to wow audiences more than ever before.
This new series, Nutcracker: Backstage with English National Ballet showcases what it takes to re-invent a globally renowned classic, seen through the eyes of all the key departments involved. The film features Artistic Director and Choreographer, Aaron S. Watkin, and Olivier Award-winning Choreographer, Arielle Smith, as well Designer, Dick Bird, the principal dancers, musicians, Music Director and costumiers as they unpack their craft and prepare to stage this iconic ballet. Two documentaries follow the meticulous preparations and the all-important rehearsals which build to the opening night. Audiences can then tune in to the full performance of Nutcracker, captured at the London Coliseum.
New one-off special, from Factory Films, The Story of Panto with Gyles Brandreth, will see the author, broadcaster and all-round entertainer reveal some of the surprising origins of this uniquely British art-form.
Panto-aficionado Gyles will immerse himself in every aspect of the genre, from its roots in commedia dell’arte and Victorian music hall to scene painting, slapstick and the making of a pantomime dame. He’ll be joined by pantomime experts including Julian Clary and Gary Wilmot.
Also coming to Sky Arts this Christmas is Edward Scissorhands: Matthew Bourne’s dance production based on Tim Burton’s classic film. It premiered in 2005, and features the music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies. Filmed live in March 2024 at the Wales Millenium Centre in Cardiff.
Sky Arts programmes are commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Executive Director of Unscripted Originals at Sky for Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios & Chief Content Officer for Sky.
Phil Edgar Jones, Executive Director of Unscripted Originals at Sky, said: “We have lined up the most Christmassy Christmas for our Sky Arts audience this festive season, with three special trips to the theatre for the very best in dance with a brand new Nutracker from English National Ballet; an innovative movie-to-dance adaptation of Edward Scissorhands courtesy of Matthew Bourne, and Gyles Brandreth’s revealing tour of the world of pantomime. The back end of a horse was never so appealing.”
Nutcracker: Backstage with English National Ballet (2×60, 1×120)
Nutcracker: Backstage with English National Ballet is produced by Cornerstone Studios. Beren Money serves as Executive Producer, with Maureen MacPhee as Director of Production. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Benedetta Pinelli.
The Story of Panto (1×60)
The Story of Panto is produced by Factory Films. The Executive Producers are Lisa Fairbank and Julie Heathcote. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Leanne Cosby.
Edward Scissorhands: Matthew Bourne’s dance version of Tim Burton’s classic (1×95)
Pippa Considine
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