It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, even though it’s still a little early. But then, the BBC will be treating many people to an early Christmas as they take Doctor Who on tour. The upcoming Christmas special ‘Twice Upon a Time’ will hit the road in December. There will be free screenings of the new special, as well as other eagerly awaited festive TV shows from the BBC.
Twice Upon a Time is the final episode for Peter Capaldi’s Doctor before he regenerates into Thirteen as portrayed by Jodie Whittaker. It is also the last episode for lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat. Chris Chibnall, Doctor Who’s new showrunner, will take over from Moffat at the end of the Christmas special. As is the tradition for nu-Who, Chibnall will be writing Whittaker’s first words as the Doctor while Moffat will be writing Capaldi’s last.
Other shows which will be screened on the tour include The League of Gentlemen festive special, which sees Mark Gatiss’ return to the comedy troupe. There is a family treat in the animation The Highway Rat. Tenth Doctor, David Tennant, voices the titular character.
The full schedule for the Christmas premiere tour is as follows:
| Date | Location | Screenings |
| 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 |
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 tickets will be available through a ballot which will be open from Thursday 23 November for 10 days.For more information and to book tickets visit the BBC Christmas Tour site.
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 45% going to local postcodes, 45% going to the surrounding county and 10% to the rest of the UK.
