BBC3 - Tues 21 December - 10.30pm

BBC3 website

Set in 1972, and taking a non-stop all-singing and dancing, star spangled musical leap around the biblical story of the Nativity. With a comic twist, this familiar story is brought to life through the eyes of the Innkeeper.

Caught on the edge of despair, the Innkeeper contemplates suicide, following a dreadful year of business brought on by rival motel owner, Tony Iscariot. His attempt is stalled by a voice from above who points out that King Herod is coming to town. The Innkeeper bursts into action determined to be the first to cash in on the great arrival.

Meanwhile, the Innkeepers wife, Ruth, is feeling angry and ignored as the Innkeeper hurries both family and guests out in preparation for Herod's arrival. As Ruth turns to Iscariot for comfort, back at the Inn there's a knock at the door. The Innkeeper opens it to a weary Joseph and Mary, and after a bit of persuasion he lets them rest in his shed.

Innkeeper/Tim Wynde ......Matt Berrry
Ruth ...... Julia Davis
Tony Iscariot ...... Julian Barratt
Joseph ...... Richard Ayoade
Shepherd/Executive ...... Noel Fielding
Baker/Executive ...... Rich Fulcher
Shepherd/Executive ...... Karl Theobald
God ...... Matt Lucas
Shepherd/Executive ...... Tom Hillenbrand
Wiseman/Executive ...... Lucy Montgomery
Wiseman/Executive ...... Lydia Fox
Wiseman ...... Sophie Winkleman
Another man/Executive ...... Richard Pitt
Butcher/Executive ...... Sean Douglas
Cab Driver ...... Marc Cieslak
Candlestick Maker ...... Dave Lambert
Doctor ...... Laurence Fox
Restaurant Critic ...... Graham Linehan
King Herod ...... Dan Antopolski
Dancer/Tailor ...... Damien Hendricks
Dancers ...... Suzanne Mole/Senay Teormina/Djeneba Aduayom/Lene Godfrey/ K (Kwame Acheameony)

AC/BC This Christmas

BBC Three
21st December
10.30pm

Julian Barratt - Tony Iscarropt - Rival/Successful Innkeeper
Julia Davis - Ruth - Inkeeper's wife
Matt Berry - Innkeeper hit on hard times
Richard Ayoade - Joseph
Matt Lucas - Voice of God
Noel Fielding - a sheep (apparently!)

The story of the nativity has been told many times, but not from the inkeeper's point of view. That oversight is put right this Christmas as BBC3's comedy talent team up for AD/BC, a bible belter of a rock opera set on the night of Jesus's birth.
It's the take of a suicidal innkeeper who reconciles his differences with a business rival and revives his fortunes.