Peter and The Wolf Animated Film With Live Orchestra Announced By Carrot Productions
The Snowman is well ensconced as a festive tradition in the UK. Based on the Raymond Briggs picture book, the classic TV special has been a staple of British Christmas TV since it first aired in 1982. Carrot Productions have established a tradition of their own, of screening the film on tour, with a live orchestra. This year's tour is going to be a bit different, as The Snowman is going to be paired with a brand new, specially commissioned film, designed to be screened with a live Orchestra.
The film is a new production of Peter And The Wolf, specially commissioned from Georgian 2D animator and animation director Tsotne Rusishvili. The film will be presented in tandem with the classic Prokofiev score, in a new arrangement from Carrot's long-time arranger and composer Daniel Whibley.
The film will receive its first public screenings as part of Carrot's Nationwide Christmas 2025 tour, running from 30 November- 23 December, consisting of 31 performances across 12 iconic venues, paired with the company's trademark presentation of The Snowman.
Carrot spent months of research and development, looking for a suitable animation collaborator before landing on Tsotne Rushilli. Carrot says "His combination of playful artistry, strong narrative instinct and an ability to synchronise imagery with music made him the standout choice to bring this project to life."
The result is a 19-minute handcrafted 2D animation, designed expressively for live performance, its pacing and storytelling carefully aligned to fit with the score.
Tsotne Rusishvili says: “Creating Peter and the Wolf for Carrot Productions was both a challenge and a joy. I grew up inspired by the Disney classics where music and image flowed together so naturally, and I wanted to capture that spirit with something fresh, playful and engaging. My goal was to make the live performance richer and more immersive, offering audiences a fresh way to encounter Prokofiev’s masterpiece.”
The score is created for a new orchestral arrangement by Daniel Whibley, Carrot's resident composer and arranger, whose orchestrations accompany every Carrot production. His CV includes the BBC Philharmonic’s CBeebies Musical Storyland, The Musical Story of the Gingerbread Man (millions of iPlayer views), and the CBeebies Bedtime Prom at the Royal Albert Hall.
His new treatment of Prokofiev’s music ensures that the score seamlessly interlocks with Rusishvili's animation while maximising the expressive power of a live orchestra in concert halls and cathedrals nationwide.
Rachel Whibley, MD of Carrot Productions, says: “The commission of a brand-new animated Peter and the Wolf, paired with Daniel’s arrangement, is a landmark moment for Carrot. It’s been wonderful to see Tsotne and Daniel collaborate across animation and music to give audiences a version of Prokofiev’s classic they won’t experience anywhere else.”
Alongside the premiere, the tour continues Carrot's tradition of presenting The Snowman with a live orchestra, a festive highlight for families nationwide. Performances feature musicians drawn from leading UK ensembles including the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata and BBC Concert Orchestra.
Each venue also includes a local soloist performing the iconic song Walking In The Air, a platform that has given life-changing experiences to hundreds of children so far.
Once again, Carrot will perform a special performance for patients, families and staff at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, continuing a festive tradition of bringing Christmas cheer to those who need it most.
Tour tickets are available from here.
‘The Snowman’ UK Tour Dates:
1 Dec – Oldham Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham
4 Dec – Derby Reach, Derby
5 Dec – Derby Reach, Derby
6 Dec – Durham Cathedral, Durham
7 Dec – Hull City Hall, Hull
11 Dec – Buxton Octagon, Buxton
13 Dec – Guildford Cathedral, Guildford
14 Dec – Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
18 Dec – Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham
19 Dec – Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury
20 Dec – St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
22 Dec – York Barbican, York
23 Dec – Chester Cathedral, Chester
