The Adventures of Prince Achmed - with live soundtrack - returns to The Vale

An animated classic is coming to The Vale in Mossley for a Christmas matinee, complete with a magical live soundtrack experience.

Musician Chris Davies' live score, which features over 30  instruments from across the globe, brings a tantalising new dimension to The Adventures of Prince Achmed.

Retelling one of the original tales of the Arabian Nights collection, the movie was released in 1926 and is the earliest surviving animated feature film.

It has been hailed as one of the world’s most innovative and influential animations. 

Made in card, cut entirely by hand, and then manipulated using sheets of lead joined by wires, director Lotte Reiniger’s exquisite shadow characters move intricately through colourful worlds of demons, witches, beautiful princesses and flying castles.

On scores of critics' 'films to see before you die' lists, it has an unbelievable 100% rating on film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

Chris's live soundtrack, which he last performed at The Vale three years ago, was initially commissioned by the National Media Museum for the Bradford Animation Festival.

Making clever use of an array of instruments to accompany the Prince's journey from the Middle East, to Africa, China and beyond, it has since toured across the globe.

The musician, who lives in Salford, is known to many as the soprano saxophone player with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners and is an associate artist with the English National Ballet.

A proper family afternoon out, the event also brings the opportunity to meet some of Global Grooves’, The Vale's resident carnival company's, larger than life puppets, and pick up some of the basics of puppeteering.

After the screening, budding musicians will be invited to get hands on with some of Chris's collection of international instruments including an oud, a darbuka, a gong rack, a bowed psaltery, a zither, and a crystal singing bowl.

Chris said: "Before I was asked to do this commission, I had never heard of The Adventures of Prince Achmed.

"When I first watched it, and heard its orchestral score, I felt pretty intimidated about what one man on his own could bring to it.

"But when I rewatched it without any sound, the ideas started coming.

"I've used instruments that have strong associations with different parts of the world to create a rich and evocative soundscape for the Prince's travels.

"I too have travelled to many countries to perform the live soundtrack and am looking forward to returning to The Vale to share it with Mossley audiences once more."

The Adventures of Prince Achmed lasts for 60 minutes and has a PG rating.

The Adventures of Prince Achmed is at The Vale, off Micklehurst Road, Mossley OL5 9JL on Sunday, December 15, 2024 - 2-4pm.

Tickets are £5/£2 or donate what you can. 

You can buy tickets online or call the box office on 01457 238 089.

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