BBC drama in chaos as Sir Derek Jacobi left fuming in A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
THERE were scenes of chaos on the BBC this evening after it appeared that a programme was “hijacked” by a rogue theatre troupe - luckily, it was all part of the plan in A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong.
In hilarious scenes, Last Tango In Halifax star Sir Derek Jacobi was left furious after his role of Ebenezer Scrooge was “stolen” from him by another actor.
“Why, excuse me! Are you playing Scrooge?” Sir Derek, 79, was heard angrily saying as he approached one of the actors who’d unceremoniously kicked him off a production of A Christmas Carol.
The man he was addressing quickly put the blame onto another actor, who was previously playing the role before handing it over.
All three Scrooges were seen wearing the exact same costume as they argued over the role in the middle of a snow-covered set.
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However, Sir Derek interjected and told them: “Nobody asked either of you to play Scrooge! You came here and took Scrooge from me - by force!”
The scenes, which were all in jest, were part of the festive show from The Mischief Theatre Company, who returned as the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society again.
This year the society took over a “live” BBC production of A Christmas Carol and replaced the cast with their own actors and crew with disastrous results.
The programme got a mixed reaction from audiences with some loving the slapstick silliness, while others were less than impressed.
BBC
BBC
Nobody asked either of you to play Scrooge! You came here and took Scrooge from me - by force!
One person posted on Twitter: “This is the best thing on TV #AChristmasCarolGoesWrong absolutely superb!”
While a second wrote: “Really enjoyed #AChristmasCarolGoesWrong One of my favourite stories told through slapstick going wrong. I thought it was fun and a lot of laughs!”
“My new goal for 2018 is to become part of Mischief Theatre. #AChristmasCarolGoesWrong,” a third added.
However, others tweeted: “Really disappointed by #AChristmasCarolGoesWrong. Last year's 'Peter Pan Goes Wrong' was genius. They should have kept it as a 'play' being performed in front of an audience. That was what made the gags work. This sort of Poundland W1A thing doesn't work.”
A second said: “Just seen #AChristmasCarolGoesWrong - not as funny as Peter Pan was last year but still worthwhile.”
Last year the BBC aired Peter Pan Goes Wrong from the same theatre company to a positive reception from audiences.
A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.
