9. Mr Custa on Planet Crimbo

by mrcusta

When Sia is kidnapped at midnight by person or persons unknown, Mr Custa suspects tree trouble. As the Tree Goddess Kate announces the world ending on Christmas day, Mr Custa journeys to Planet Crimbo, the Xmas planet, where a great many festive horrors awaits him…

Mr.Custa on Planet Crimbo
Story Nine2010


Close Encounters of the Firrd Kind(Written by Philip Whitmore)


Too Many Xmas Trees(Written by Philip Whitmore)


Invasion(Written by Philip Whitmore)


Trial by Tree(Written by Philip Whitmore)


The Xmas Planet(Written by Philip Whitmore)


The Search(Written by Philip Whitmore)


The President is an Idiot(Written by Philip Whitmore)


Scoff Away Sia(Written by Philip Whitmore)


The Gift That Keeps on Giving(Written by Philip Whitmore)


Battle of the Gods(Written by Philip Whitmore)

Credits

  • Mr. Custa – Mathew Cobb
  • Sia – Sara Beamish
  • Brok / Snowman – Aaron Nicholas-Wood
  • Fly / The Festive Fir Family – Philip Whitmore
  • President Klein – James Leggo
  • Kate the Tree Goddess – Felicity Mayor
  • Saint Nick / Elf – Lee Bannister
  • Major Jump – Fred White
  • Announcer – Lee Bannister
  • Mr. Custa Theme – Michael Skywood Clifford
  • Writer – Philip Whitmore
  • Creator and Producer – Philip Whitmore
  • Director – Philip Whitmore
BEHIND THE STORY with PHIL WHITMORE
“PLANET CRIMBO”

This story was, in fact, the longest “Mr Custa” story that I had written, and was originally meant to be recorded for hospital radio, as (of course) a Christmas special.

And, as the final recording is very close to the original scripts (written in 2006) I sometimes wonder what the resident unsuspecting hospital patients would have made of this twisted tale of carnivorous, destructive Christmas trees, exploding prezzies and “Omigod! They killed Santa!” (No, not really!  He’s a God)

It was written only six months after Doctor Who did its first (*proper) Christmas special, and obviously I wanted to do something along those lines, so Planet Crimbo! was born.

Also sometimes spelt “PLANET CHRIMBO”.

This story also added a back-story for Sia’s people, (now known as Tekkenites) who at some point in the past, went to war with the Christmas trees.

The Christmas trees, effectively being like Nazis, don’t like other trees that aren’t a part of “The Festive Fir Family”.

Seeing as, Michael Skywood Clifford’s story “The Tree From Outer Space” was recorded first, several extra lines were added to back reference the “Leafy tree” because well, what are the chances of more tree aliens turning up in the same series?