Brass, Storytelling and Animation at Kirkbymoorside

The event, which will include live music, original storytelling and newly created animation will take centre stage at the James Holt Concert Hall in Kirkbymoorside, offering audiences of all ages the chance to experience a brand new creative collaboration.

The Adventures of the Bear and the Angel, brings together the talents of local historian, naturalist and author Martin Watts, whose much loved Bear stories have charmed readers for years, and the famous Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band, under the musical directorship of the 2024 Brass Band England Conductor of the Year, Sarah Woodward.

Martin, who served as curator at the Ryedale Folk Museum for around 15 year, has created an uplifting tale of courage, friendship and hope, inspired by the real-life bear and beetle who reside in the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens where he worked for a number of years.

At the heart of the story is a group of friends who set out to help a stranger, confronting challenges, “important people” and their own fears along the way. Celebrating themes of kindness, determination and imagination it is a show for all ages.

The idea for the project emerged after a conversation between Martin and Sarah who was fresh from attending the Brass in Concert festival at The Glass House in Gateshead.

Sarah was keen to explore how live brass performance could be combined with film and narrative right here in Ryedale.

Knowing Martin’s creative work—and his role in documenting the band’s own history—the partnership quickly gathered momentum.

To bring the visual world of the story to life, the team enlisted award winning animator Andy Burns, a filmmaker with more than 20 years’ experience and a strong record of community-focused projects. Burns’ animation has been crafted to work hand in hand with live performance, creating an immersive backdrop for the music and narration.

The result is an evening designed to offer something genuinely different for audiences: an imaginative blend of live brass music, storytelling and cinema suitable for all ages, families, schools, and anyone with an interest in local creativity.

The project has been supported by J and W Kirby Historic Conservation, The Yorkshire Quince Company and Salt and Steam.

The Adventures of the Bear and the Angel takes place at 6pm on April 11at the James Holt Concert Hall.

Tickets are available at: trybooking.com/uk/FZCU