BAFTA-nominated (Broadchurch) actor and narrator Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street, Mr Bates vs The Post Office) joins us for two nights of seasonal stories and glorious festive music performed by an ensemble from the Orchestra of Opera North.
The stage is set on a chilly Christmas Eve, as our Storyteller weaves traditional tales through musical arrangements including ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies’ and ‘Good King Wenceslas’ – made especially for a group of ten musicians, by composer Andy Stamatakis-Brown.
Classical, folk, carols and more, this intimate evening will bring joy and a warm glow – all under our stunning vaulted ceiling, and beautifully decorated for Christmas.
Suitable for children 7+.
“Then down on my knees, by the fire’s last ember
I opened the box and began to remember
For each little bauble, each stalwart tin soldier
Took me back to a time from before I was older
And each childish drawing, all tattered and frail
Contained its own story, and told its own tale…”
Nishla Smith Concept/Script Andy Stamatakis-Brown Arranger/ Orchestrator
Tchaikovsky ‘Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy’ Traditional ‘Good King Wenceslas’ Traditional ‘The Ashgrove’ Chausson ‘Dance of the Nymphs & Harvesters’ (from Tempette) Traditional ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ Dowland ‘Mrs Winters Jump’ Holmés ‘La Nuit et l’amour’ Traditional ‘O Christmas Tree’ Prokofiev ‘Troika’ Stamatakis-Brown ‘Silken String’
Performers
Katie Stillman Violin Katie New Violin Lourenço Macedo Sampaio Viola Jess Burroughs Cello Nathan Knight Double Bass Luke O’Toole Flute Andrew Mason Clarinet Adam Mackenzie Bassoon David Tollington Horn Annette Saunders Celeste/Tambourine
