The KNDS Fairey Band will help create a piece of Wallace & Gromit history later this year by providing the live music backing for a special screening of the Academy Award winning film, 'A Close Shave'.

Julian Nott's original score has been arranged to accompany Nick Park's much-loved animated adventure as part of a unique 'double bill' alongside the duo's previous 'A Grand Day Out'.

It will take place at Alexandra Palace Theatre in London on Sunday 1st November (2.00pm).

Specialist preparation

While other Wallace & Gromit adventures have already made the transition from screen to concert hall, 'A Close Shave' required specialist preparation of the film's original audio before it could be paired with a live score.

That work was carried out by James Parkinson, a professional audio engineer who also plays horn with the Stockport band and who worked with Aardman to prepare the soundtrack in a form that allows Julian Nott's score to be performed live.

Incredibly exciting

Speaking to 4BR he said: "I'm a huge Wallace & Gromit fan living in Wigan, the location where Nick Park set the films, so when I learned why 'A Close Shave' had never been performed live I was determined to make it happen.

I've spent more than two years working on it, so finally making the first-ever live performance possible with KNDS Fairey is incredibly exciting."

First released in 1995, 'A Close Shave' sees Wallace and Gromit's new window-cleaning business introduce Wallace to wool-shop owner Wendolene Ramsbottom, while the arrival of a lost sheep — soon christened Shaun — leads the pair into a mystery involving sheep rustling, the Knit-O-Matic and the menacing Preston.

The film went on to win both the Academy Award and BAFTA for Best Animated Short Film and introduced the world to the much-loved character of Shaun the Sheep.

I've spent more than two years working on it, so finally making the first-ever live performance possible with KNDS Fairey is incredibly excitingJames Parkinson

Double bill and more...

'A Close Shave' will form the second half of the Alexandra Palace Theatre on Sunday 1st November (2.00pm) following a first half of 'A Grand Day Out', the original Wallace & Gromit adventure — both accompanied by the KNDS Fairey Band.

The band will also return at 4.30pm for a separate performance of 'The Wrong Trousers Live'. The afternoon performance begins with a 25-minute concert packed with virtuosic soloists and foot-tapping tunes before Wallace, Gromit and Feathers McGraw take over the big screen.

The performances continue the KNDS Fairey Band's association with presenting Wallace & Gromit films with live brass band accompaniment, bringing together some of Britain's best-loved animation with one of the country's leading brass bands.

Wallace & Gromit in Concert

Sunday 1st November:
Alexandra Palace Theatre, London

2.00pm — A Grand Day Out & A Close Shave
4.30pm — The Wrong Trousers Live

Tickets are available from Alexandra Palace:
https://www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/wallace-gromit-in-concert/