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Celebrating 20 years of orchestral innovation in 2025, Aurora Orchestra marks its birthday with a brand-new Orchestral Theatre production developed in collaboration with the award-winning Frantic Assembly. The performance opens with a new staging of The Carnival of the Animals, played from memory by Aurora Orchestra. Saint-Saëns’ vibrant introduction to orchestral instruments is infused with movement, design, lighting and new text by Kate Wakeling.

Richard Ayres’ riotous new work Dr Frompou’s Anatomical Study of an Orchestra then invites us behind the scenes of the Carnival to see what happens to the performers when the show is over. Specially commissioned for this production, the piece introduces us to the madcap scientist Dr Frompou, who keeps the instruments of the orchestra captive in a laboratory, performing sinister musical experiments and finding new ways to make strange and powerful sounds. Find out what happens when the instruments begin to stage a rebellion!

Suitable for all ages from 7 upwards.

This performance is an Aurora Orchestra/Southbank Centre co-production developed in collaboration with Frantic Assembly.

Main image: Carnival of the Animals © Stanton Media