Reviewed by Mark
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
Carrot Productions' celebration of 50 years of Aardman animation arrived at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall for an absolutely delightful evening.
Pairing the Carrot Orchestra, under the baton of George Morton, with clips from Aardman's back catalogue including beloved characters from Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time, Morph, and Creature Comforts. Matching the two together is wonderful and brings the world of live orchestral music to all generations. The music of Julian Nott and Daniel Whibley is a thrill to hear live.
The atmosphere in the venue was warm, joyful, and utterly captivating for all generations. Members of the orchestra don a variety of costumes ranging from Wallace, Fluffles, Shaun the Sheep, chickens from Chicken Run, or the supervillain Feathers McGraw. The magnificence of the orchestra continues throughout the evening. There's some playful audience interaction and even the chance to meet the orchestra and a 'special guest' after the show.
The precision, energy, and musicality of the orchestra is astounding; every slapstick comedic beat, musical cue, and dramatic flourish was timed perfectly with the animation.
The first act, lasting around 30 minutes, served as a celebration of Aardman as a whole before a second half screening of Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death with the full live orchestral score performed alongside it was nothing short of brilliant. Ending the evening on the iconic Wallace and Gromit theme song has everyone smiling.
My only criticism is that the evening was simply too short! The show ran at 85 minutes, including a 20-minute interval, which felt more or less like an opportunity to just sell merchandise. I'd have loved more. Plus, there wasn't enough Chicken Run or Early Man...
Whether you've grown up with these characters or are introducing them to younger family members for the first time, this performance is a heartwarming celebration of British animation at its absolute finest.
Aardman In Concert plays at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall on Friday 27th November at 1.30pm and 6.30pm. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.carrotproductions.com/whats-on/aardmaninconcert
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