Peter and the Wolf in the Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds, was an atmospheric experience

Review: Peter and the Wolf accompanied by Orpheus Sinfonia, the Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds, December 7-10

With the festive season in full swing, the Abbey Gardens hosted a slightly different kind of event at the weekend.

Over four days, the Oscar-winning short animated film Peter and the Wolf was screened 16 times, with live musical accompaniment from Orpheus Sinfonia.

On Friday, I went along with my seven-year-old daughter Clara.

Organised by West Suffolk Council as part of the Christmas in Bury St Edmunds partnership, the event saw an all-weather auditorium built on the old bowling green.

Those sensitive to the cold were advised to take blankets, but while we arrived with a fleece throw just in case we need not have worried.

As soon as the doors of the auditorium opened we were greeted with a wall of warm air and once we had found our seats, we soon shed our jackets and hats. The fleece throw was redundant.

Then, we were able to take in our surroundings.

The auditorium itself was a really good size when you consider it was constructed on a bowling green. Inside it was equipped with projection equipment and a large screen at the front – with space for Orpheus Sinfonia to sit underneath.

Rows of seats lined the space, while its walls and ceilings were draped with black fabric.

It felt cosy, intimate and atmospheric as we settled down and waited for the performance to begin.

Gradually, members of the orchestra filtered in as I grew excited for the experience. I have many fond memories of childhood Sundays spent with my father playing the LP of Prokoviev’s Peter and the Wolf, listening to the story and discussing how the composition and choice of instruments drove the tale forwards.

My daughter Clara is a different creature and – disliking even mild peril – was instead concerned I had taken her along to a ‘horror movie’ (her words, not mine).

The age advisory for the event was six years plus and I would say that was appropriate. However, Clara did not enjoy much of the film itself.

The opposite was true for me. I thought the stop-motion animation was a brilliant way to tell the story of a child finding their inner strength and courage, while the live accompaniment from Orpheus Sinfonia – and its narrator – added another dimension to the atmospheric experience.

The entire performance was 45 minutes – including a joyous festive medley played by the orchestra following the film – and we left the auditorium ready to take in the various food stalls lining the walk back to the abbey gate.

We emerged back on to Angel Hill sipping mulled wine (me) and hot chocolate (Clara).

It’s fair to say Peter and the Wolf was not Clara’s cup of tea – although the hot chocolate soon distracted her – but I enjoyed it, along with the opportunity to do something a bit different in the run-up to Christmas.