Scarlett.
24-11-2008, 10:49 PM
Following the soar-away success of Christmas Lights, Northern Lights and City Lights, ITV reunites Robson Green and Mark Benton in Clash of the Santas, a rip-roaring rollicking Christmas special for 2008.
Clash of the Santas is a heart-warming Christmas tale full of comedy, action that will rekindle everyone’s belief in the power of Santa. The 120-minute film sees Colin (Robson Green) and Howie (Mark Benton) hot foot over to Lithuania to participate in a Santa convention.
Nicola Stephenson returns as Colin’s understanding wife, Jackie, who is at home desperately willing Colin to make it back in time for Christmas Day with his children. Sian Reeves also revives her role as Pauline, Howie’s estranged wife, who is planning a French Christmas and turkey fricassee with new beau Jean Luc, and Victoria.
Bah humbug Howie has unexpectedly been asked to represent England in the annual Santa competition, much to the chagrin of Colin who thinks his dedication to Christmas and Santa appearances at the school fair make him by far the better candidate.
Despite his protestations, Christmas cynic Howie remains the firm choice and fervent believer Colin has to settle for accompanying him as his cheerleading elf. Little does he know that all the other elves are girls and his elf skirt will leave nothing to the imagination.
The essence of the story, in true Christmas style, is about the power of believing in Santa Claus. Will Howie become a true believer? Will Colin fulfil his Christmas destiny? And will they make it back to their families in time for Christmas day?
Also starring in Clash of the Santas is Ian Puleston Davies as Beryl, the welsh competitor who has joined the competition as a way of getting to know the elves and the Nativity’s Virgin Mary… in a very biblical manner. Edward Petherbridge plays the village elder and Emma Cunniffe is Alice, the slightly Santa obsessed grotto manager.
Robson Green comments: “I’m so pleased Colin and Howie are returning for this Christmas special, particularly as the script is such a rip roaring journey to Christmas – challenging everyone to believe in Santa. I’m also delighted to be working with Mark, Nicola and Sian again; we’re going to have an absolute ball.”
Clash of the Santas has been written by Jeff Pope (Executive Producer See No Evil: The Moors Murders, Joanne Lees: Murder in the Outback, The Last Hangman), who created the Christmas Lights, Northern Lights and City Lights series with Bob Mills (Shameless, The Last Hangman) in 2004. It is an ITV Studios commission from Controller of Comedy Saurabh Kakkar’s department and is produced by Chris Carey (What We Did On Our Holiday) and directed by Paul Seed (Perfect Day: The Funeral, The Booze Cruise).
The 120 minute special will air at Christmas 2008 on ITV1. Clash of the Santas has been commissioned by ITV’s Entertainment and Comedy commissioning team, Paul Jackson and Michaela Hennessey Vass.
Clash of the Santas is a heart-warming Christmas tale full of comedy, action that will rekindle everyone’s belief in the power of Santa. The 120-minute film sees Colin (Robson Green) and Howie (Mark Benton) hot foot over to Lithuania to participate in a Santa convention.
Nicola Stephenson returns as Colin’s understanding wife, Jackie, who is at home desperately willing Colin to make it back in time for Christmas Day with his children. Sian Reeves also revives her role as Pauline, Howie’s estranged wife, who is planning a French Christmas and turkey fricassee with new beau Jean Luc, and Victoria.
Bah humbug Howie has unexpectedly been asked to represent England in the annual Santa competition, much to the chagrin of Colin who thinks his dedication to Christmas and Santa appearances at the school fair make him by far the better candidate.
Despite his protestations, Christmas cynic Howie remains the firm choice and fervent believer Colin has to settle for accompanying him as his cheerleading elf. Little does he know that all the other elves are girls and his elf skirt will leave nothing to the imagination.
The essence of the story, in true Christmas style, is about the power of believing in Santa Claus. Will Howie become a true believer? Will Colin fulfil his Christmas destiny? And will they make it back to their families in time for Christmas day?
Also starring in Clash of the Santas is Ian Puleston Davies as Beryl, the welsh competitor who has joined the competition as a way of getting to know the elves and the Nativity’s Virgin Mary… in a very biblical manner. Edward Petherbridge plays the village elder and Emma Cunniffe is Alice, the slightly Santa obsessed grotto manager.
Robson Green comments: “I’m so pleased Colin and Howie are returning for this Christmas special, particularly as the script is such a rip roaring journey to Christmas – challenging everyone to believe in Santa. I’m also delighted to be working with Mark, Nicola and Sian again; we’re going to have an absolute ball.”
Clash of the Santas has been written by Jeff Pope (Executive Producer See No Evil: The Moors Murders, Joanne Lees: Murder in the Outback, The Last Hangman), who created the Christmas Lights, Northern Lights and City Lights series with Bob Mills (Shameless, The Last Hangman) in 2004. It is an ITV Studios commission from Controller of Comedy Saurabh Kakkar’s department and is produced by Chris Carey (What We Did On Our Holiday) and directed by Paul Seed (Perfect Day: The Funeral, The Booze Cruise).
The 120 minute special will air at Christmas 2008 on ITV1. Clash of the Santas has been commissioned by ITV’s Entertainment and Comedy commissioning team, Paul Jackson and Michaela Hennessey Vass.