As much as we may roll our eyes at all the fuss made about Christmas, in particular the music blaring in shops and malls, you’ve got to admit it’s fun to get just a little bit festive in the lead up to Christmas day.
As much as we may roll our eyes at all the fuss made about Christmas, in particular the music blaring in shops and malls, you’ve got to admit it’s fun to get just a little bit festive in the lead up to Christmas day.
Here at Rialto Channel we’re doing our bit by dedicating our British Theatre series on Monday nights to Christmas themed films, and we’ve got something for everyone depending on their level of enthusiasm for the festive season.
We ease you into things with the family friendly Nativity! (Monday 5th December, 8.30pm), a comedy staring Martin Freeman as Paul Maddens, a primary school teacher reluctantly placed in charge of the school’s nativity play. This is a comedy set at Christmas time rather than a Christmas themed film, and is perfect for lovers of the low key and improvised tone of The Office, the telly series Freeman stared in. What starts off as a slightly kooky story actually turns into a sweet and uplifting festive film, one you can record and enjoy with the kids.
Things get a little bit wackier the following week when Robson Green and Mark Benton return as the endlessly bickering best mates Colin and Howie in Clash of the Santas (Monday 12th December, 8,30pm). Colin (Green) is possibly Christmas’s biggest fan, so he’s most put out when his best friend Howard (Benton), who is ambivalent about Christmas, is selected to go to the World Santa Championships in Lithuania. Both friends end up competing and, while I’m not sure how turkey throwing, dirt buggy races, beer sculling or horn blowing competitions really make you the best Santa in the world, it makes for some ridiculous good fun.
For those wanting something more traditional and to reflect more seriously on Christmas The Nativity screens on Monday 19th December, 8.30pm. Director Tony Jordan begins his story 12 months before the birth of Jesus. Telling Mary and Joseph’s story it also explores the role of the shepherds and the Magi (or Three Kings) who’ve waited for generations for Balaam's Star, an indicator of a prophecy.
It’s a period drama, but Jordan’s approach gives you an all round understanding for what was going on in troubled Judea at the time, and he works hard to make all these characters human and relatable. Jordan is the lead writer for the BBC’s Eastenders, but his television film is thankfully devoid of any soap opera elements.
When asked what viewers might get out of his film, Jordan said” I think if they have got faith then it will reaffirm it and I think if they haven't got faith then I would like to think it might make them think twice”. He added “More importantly I think it is really nice for an audience to just be reminded of what Christmas is and what it is all about.”
There’s no stopping Christmas. It’s coming, so why not enjoy it here on Rialto Channel.