Families will be able to watch premieres of two of the BBC’s big Christmas children’s shows at free screenings across the country in December.
The Children’s Christmas Premiere Tour, featuring Zog and The Midnight Gang and David Walliams’ The Midnight Gang, will start in Newcastle on Saturday 15 December and finish in York on 23 December.
In Newcastle, Sheffield, Bradford and Liverpool the screenings will take place inside a specially-built BBC Christmas cinema. And in some locations, there will be special screenings for school groups.
Zog and The Midnight Gang is the latest animated adaptation of a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture book and nine cities will host its premieres.
The characters are voiced by a star-studded cast led by Sir Lenny Henry and Game of Thrones star Kit Harington. It is made by Magic Light Pictures, producers of other Donaldson and Scheffler adaptations including The Gruffalo, Stick Man and The Highway Rat.
Families will also get a chance to see the latest adaptation of Walliams’ book The Midnight Gang, starring the man himself and telling the story of a group of kids who go on adventures at night.
As well as a sneak peek of Zog and The Midnight Gang, families will also be able to walk the red carpet and pose for photos with famous props from some of the BBC’s biggest shows.
Helen Thomas, Director of BBC England says: “These are two hugely popular children’s stories brought to life brilliantly by the BBC. I hope people will apply for free tickets so they can see them before anyone else. We want it to be a special experience for families ahead of a special time of year.
“Bringing content and exciting events directly to our audiences is part of our push to better serve communities across England.”
Tickets will be available through a ballot which will be open from Tuesday 27 November for seven days via the BBC Shows and Tours website.
