New ‘Peter and the Wolf’ Animated Film to Premiere with Live Orchestra U.K. Christmas Tour

Carrot Productions, known for its performances of BAFTA-winning animated classic The Snowman with live orchestra, has announced the world premiere of a new screen-and-music project: an original animated adaptation of Peter and the Wolf, specially commissioned from Georgian 2D animator and animation director Tsotne Rusishvili. The film will be presented in tandem with Prokofiev’s classic score, re-shaped for the occasion by Carrot’s long-time arranger and composer Daniel Whibley.

Peter and the Wolf will receive its first public screenings as part of Carrot’s 2025 nationwide Christmas tour, running from November  30 – December 23, with 31 performances across 12 U.K. venues, paired with the company’s hallmark presentation of The Snowman.

Carrot Productions spent months of research and development exploring potential animation collaborators before selecting Rusishvili for the commission. The company notes that his combination of playful artistry, strong narrative instinct and an ability to synchronize imagery with music made him the standout choice to bring this project to life.

The result is a 19-minute hand-crafted, 2D animation designed expressly for live performance, its pacing and storytelling carefully aligned with the orchestral score.

“Creating Peter and the Wolf for Carrot Productions was both a challenge and a joy,” said Rusishvili. “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 via a new orchestral arrangement by Whibley, Carrot’s resident arranger whose orchestrations underpin its every production. His portfolio 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.

Whibley’s new treatment of Prokofiev’s music ensures that the score interlocks seamlessly with Rusishvili’s animation, while maximizing the expressive power of a live orchestra in concert halls and cathedrals.

“The commission of a brand-new animated Peter and the Wolf, paired with Daniel’s arrangement, is a landmark moment for Carrot,” said Managing Director Rachel Whibley. “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 of Peter and the Wolf, the tour continues Carrot’s tradition of presenting The Snowman with a live orchestra. Performances feature musicians drawn from leading U.K. ensembles including the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata and BBC Concert Orchestra. Each show also spotlights a young local soloist performing “Walking in the Air” — a showcase opportunity Carrot points out has already had a life changing impact on hundreds of children across the U.K.

Festive extras include Classic FM’s Big Christmas Chorus, inviting more than 25,000 voices nationwide to sing “Walking in the Air” in support of Global’s Make Some Noise. Families can also meet the musicians and wave to the Snowman himself.

The 2025 tour will be featured on BBC Radio 4’s Christmas edition of How To Play, recorded during rehearsals, giving listeners rare insight into performing live to picture.

And once again, Carrot Productions will perform a special concert for patients, families and staff at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The tour opens in Stockport on 30 November before heading to some of the country’s most opulent venues including Guildford Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral, York Barbican and Chester Cathedral. Tickets available here.

Tour Dates:

Nov. 30 – Stockport Town Hall, Stockport
Dec. 1 – Oldham Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham
Dec. 4 – Derby Reach, Derby
Dec. 5 – Derby Reach, Derby
Dec. 6 – Durham Cathedral, Durham
Dec. 7 – Hull City Hall, Hull
Dec. 11 – Buxton Octagon, Buxton
Dec. 13 – Guildford Cathedral, Guildford
Dec. 14 – Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
Dec. 18 – Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham
Dec. 19 – Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury
Dec. 20 – St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
Dec. 22 – York Barbican, York
Dec. 23 – Chester Cathedral, Chester