This year, many of us have rekindled our relationships with our televisions, and the efforts that have been made to produce an extra special festive line up must not be ignored. From brooding nuns and fantastical scarecrows to the stars of the Royal Ballet, we’ve rounded up the arts and culture highlights from the next few festive weeks:
Black Narcissus
BBC One, 27-29 December, 9:00pm
Dark, sumptuous, thrilling, Black Narcissus is set in the heights of the Himalayas where a group of Anglican nuns arrive to establish a new mission. Gemma Arteton stars as Sister Clodagh who struggles with devotion, desire, and temptation, while being haunted by her troubled past. Tensions and rivalries rise amongst the nuns to a point of darkness and psychological poisoning. A collaboration between FX and the BBC, you won’t want to miss this cinematic feat.
The Royal Ballet All Star Gala
BBC Four, Boxing Day, 9pm
FIlmed in October, this gala showcases the classics along with some of the very best dancers and choreographers from Swan Lake to Wayne McGregor. Although this is the first time the full Royal Ballet are back together again after seven months, dancers have still trained vigorously daily, often in the confines of their own homes. Accompanied by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, this is an emotional reminder of what we have lost from the world of dance this year.
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse
Sky One, Christmas Eve, 8:15pm
A heart-warming crossover of two of the greatest children’s authors in history, based on a real-life encounter. A six-year-old Roald Dahl goes to visit Beatrix Potter and her wondrous world of Jemima Puddleduck and Peter Rabbit, the meeting will go on to inspire Dahl to become the literary genius we know of today. This 90-minute film is sure to inspire Christmas magic and childhood nostalgia in all of us.
