Cracking Brass, Gromit!

The Unite Brass Band will be providing a live soundtrack to the classic Aardman animation film – The Wrong Trousers.

The screening is being held as part of the inaugural Sheffield Film Festival on Saturday 24th August and is a celebration of Sheffield Hallam alumni Nick Park.

The special live performance gives people a chance to see Wallace and Gromit as never before with a live brass band score, with a preceding performance of a selection of other classic children’s hits.

The Sheffield Film Festival said, “Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park has Sheffield roots, studying at Sheffield Polytechnic before heading to NFTS to start work on the first Wallace & Gromit film, A Grand Day Out.

“The score will be performed live by Unite the Union Brass Band, who have been performing since 1900 and cinema audiences may know them best from their appearance in Sheffield classic, The Full Monty.”

Unite Brass Band Chairperson, and solo horn player, Melissa Maddison said, “We are very excited to take part in this screening, it’s very rare to do this sort of thing and the fact it is in our home city of Sheffield makes it extra special.

“To actually accompany a film is lovely and a fantastic opportunity to try something different.”

Melissa explained the process saying, “All the music is removed from the film and our Musical Director works through our live brass soundtrack to link in with the pace of the film, rising tension etc.”

The 28 piece band have had lots of rehearsals, including some in the cinema, and are looking forward to bringing Wallace and Gromit to life for the audience. 

To find out more, and book tickets go to the Sheffield Film Festival website. 

By Keith Hatch