The much loved Wallace and Gromit will be bringing their unique blend of comic chaos to the North East this week - with a new addition guaranteed to hit the right note with fans.
The adventures of the lovable duo - the well-meaning but accident-prone Wallace and his silent but sensible pet dog - will play out against a unique musical backdrop at Sage Gateshead on Thursday.
Two performances of Wallace & Gromit's Musical Marvels will see Aardman, creators of the Oscar -winning clay animation, team up with Carrot Productions company to add a live orchestral accompaniment to a show marking the 30-year anniversary of their screen debut in A Grand Day Out.
Then their subsequent short films, featuring mishaps involving everything from a wicked penguin - in The Wrong Trousers: their first 30-minute film - to dim-witted sheep and a were-rabbit, have gone on the cement the clay creations' place in viewers' hearts.
Now Wallace & Gromit's Musical Marvels begins with a specially created animation about the eccentric, cheese-loving Wallace preparing to perform a musical masterpiece - My Concerto in Eee Lad - with help from the ever-faithful Gromit.
This interactive experience features the Picture House Orchestra and is presented by musician and actor Matthew Sharp and the second half of the performance will include what's billed as a world's first: a with-music screening of The Wrong Trousers.
Musical Marvels was first performed at the BBC Proms in 2012 and the current 38-date tour, bringing it to the Sage on June 6, features all-new music.
It's described as a "fantastic opportunity" for young audiences to experience live classical music for the first time and in a fun way.
Carrot Productions, which has been given exclusive rights to tour the production, is now building on the success it has had with a similar venture, involving The Snowman.
Sean Clarke, from Aardman, said: "Carrot Productions have produced a fantastic show, featuring live orchestral music for one of Aardman’s best loved shorts, and we look forward to audiences across the UK having the opportunity to enjoy this unique musical experience.”
There will be two performances of Musical Marvels at Sage Gateshead on Thursday: at 1.30pm - which is considered ideal for school groups - and 6.30pm, when there is now limited availability.
For tickets, see here .
