BBC.co.uk Media Centre
October 19, 2012
The premier of the half-hour animated special Room On The Broom, will light up faces and warm the cockles of every family on their sofa this Christmas, when it broadcasts as a festive highlight on BBC One.
Room On The Broom is an enchanting tale of friendship and family that has been beautifully adapted from the magical picture book by the same creative team that brought Christmas cheer to BBC Christmases past with The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child. Room On The Broom continues the tradition and will make quintessential viewing for the whole family to enjoy - a date not to be missed in the Christmas calendar.
The award-winning book was written in 2001 by Children’s Laureate Juilia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, the creators of the much loved modern classic The Gruffalo. It tells the story about a kind witch who invites a surprising collection of animals to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. The gang ultimately saves the witch from a fearsome dragon, and in gratitude she rewards them with a magnificent new broom which has room for everyone.
The film is joyously narrated by Simon Pegg and the six lovable characters are voiced by stellar British acting talent - Gillian Anderson as the Witch, Rob Brydon as the Cat, Martin Clunes as the Dog, Sally Hawkins as the Bird, David Walliams as the Frog and Timothy Spall as the dastardly Dragon.
A highlight not only of this year’s BBC One Christmas schedule but also a future classic for years to come, Room On The Broom will be half an hour of pure joy for one and all - so sit back, relax and let the magic of the broom sweep you away.
Room On The Broom is produced by Michael Rose and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures (The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Chico & Rita); and René Aubry (The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child) has composed the music. Room On The Broom is published by MacMillan Children’s Books. It was commissioned by BBC One Controller Danny Cohen and Controller of Drama Commissioning, Ben Stephenson.