A Russian extravaganza at the Royal Albert Hall on Sept. 23, 2006, will celebrate the world premiere of a new stop-motion animated version of PETER AND THE WOLF, and mark the 70th anniversary of its first performance in Moscow. The Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by musical director Mark Stephenson, has recorded the soundtrack and will perform live Prokofiev's classic score alongside this first showing of the film. The special cinema and live music event will also feature one of the brightest young rising Russian stars Eduard Kunz, 25-year-old pianist, playing Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 and the Philharmonia Orchestra will complete the Russian program with Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.
The film was produced by BreakThru Films and directed by BAFTA winning director Suzie Templeton. The animation was done by Oscar winning Se-Ma-For animation studios in Poland using cutting edge digital techniques. Whilst staying true to Prokofievs classic story the film provides some 21st century twists and an environmental theme.
Producer Alan Dewhurst describes their search for animators, The work of Se-Ma-For really jumped out at us: aesthetically and in their level of craft and artistry, it was exactly what we were looking for. Filming in Se-Ma-Fors Polish studios echoes the eastern European origins of the story and truly captures the magic of Prokofievs script.
Templeton has won more than 30 international awards and a Best Animation BAFTA Award for her short film DOG. PETER AND THE WOLF is produced by Alan Dewhurst and Hugh Welchman at BreakThru Films. Welchmans film CROWSTONE won the Cinefoundation Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. He has also produced two films for and starring the Monty Python team. Dewhurst previously set up and ran Europes leading commercials animation company Passion Pictures. BreakThru Films has since made four award-winning short films and a feature-length documentary. Oscar-winning Se-Ma-For Studios in Poland has made more than 1,400 films and won more than 300 international awards.
The Gala Concert is Sponsored by Dr George Piskov of Uniastrum.
Tickets are available from The Royal Albert Hall Box Office on 020 7589 8212, www.royalalberthall.com. Prices range from £38 to £10.
Further information on the film is available at www.breakthrufilms.co.uk.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
