British Comedy Guide
AD/BC. Image shows from L to R: Wiseman (Lydia Fox), Wiseman (Lucy Montgomery), Wiseman (Sophie Winkleman). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions
AD/BC

AD/BC

  • TV comedy
  • BBC Three
  • 2004
  • 1 episode

Irreverent musical version of the Nativity story with a twist - it's set in 1972 and told from the viewpoint of the innkeeper. Stars Matt Berry, Julia Davis, Julian Barratt, Richard Ayoade, Matt Lucas and more.

F
X
R
W
E

Key details

Genre
Comedy
Broadcast
2004
Channel
BBC Three
Episodes
1
Stars
Matt Berry, Julia Davis, Julian Barratt, Richard Ayoade, Matt Lucas, Noel Fielding, Tom Hillenbrand, Karl Theobald and more
Writers
Matt Berry and Richard Ayoade
Director
Richard Ayoade
Producers
Alison MacPhail, Kerry Waddell, Steve Coogan, Mark Freeland and Henry Normal
Company

Inspired by the star-spangled, flowing-haired glam rock that is fundamentally the seventies, this musical tale of Jesus's birth is given a revamp and a new angle. The Biblical story is told from the innkeeper's stance; a man who due to lack of trade is contemplating suicide.

He is given new hope however, when God appears to him in a vision and tells him of King Herod's pending arrival. When he starts to make preparations, this prediction is apparently good for business but bad for the bedroom when his long-suffering wife Ruth walks out on him and goes to his business rival Tony Iscariot. The momentous birth of the saviour touches everyone's heart and emotions are played out in the form of song, dance and holding hands.

Additional details

Also known as
  • The BBC3 Christmas Rock Opera: AD/BC
Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Colour
Soundtrack
Original Soundtrack by Matt Berry. Lyrics by Matt Berry and Richard Ayoade

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Tuesday 21st December 2004 at 10:30pm on BBC Three
Episode length
30 minutes

Share this page