Aardman in Concert arrives at Storyhouse Chester

Families across Cheshire are invited to enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of film and live music this October half term, as Carrot Productions brings Aardman in Concert to Storyhouse in Chester as part of its annual WayWord Festival.

On Monday 26th October 2026, audiences can celebrate 50 years of the iconic animation studio with a spectacular live experience built around some of Britain's best-loved characters.

From Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep to Morph and Creature Comforts, Aardman in Concert brings together the stories, humour and characters that have become part of everyday family life. Combining classic film moments with a live orchestra, the show is designed for lifelong fans and newcomers alike.

The first half of the performance takes audiences on a journey through Aardman's remarkable five-decade history, opening with a specially created montage sequence and score that showcases Wallace & Gromit's most daring adventures, Shaun the Sheep's funniest moments, and appearances from many familiar faces along the way.

The second half features a full screening of Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, accompanied live by the orchestra. When Wallace takes in a mysterious new lodger, Gromit quickly becomes suspicious of the coolly calculating Feathers McGraw. What follows is one of Aardman's most celebrated adventures, complete with daring heists, ingenious inventions and one of the greatest chase sequences ever committed to clay.

The enduring popularity of Wallace & Gromit shows no sign of slowing down. Released on Christmas Day 2024, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl became the most-watched animated film in the UK since modern records began with 21.6 million viewers in 28 days, introducing a whole new generation to Aardman's beloved duo and the dastardly Feathers McGraw.

Together, the film and live performance showcase the wit, creativity and craftsmanship that have made Aardman a fixture of family life for five decades, creating an experience that brings generations together.

Rachel Whibley, Managing Director of Carrot Productions, said:

"Celebrating 50 years of Aardman with a live orchestra feels incredibly special. These are characters many of us grew up with, and now we're seeing families bring their own children to experience them live. Chester has such a rich cultural life and Storyhouse is a brilliant place for families to experience live performance together, so it feels like a wonderful setting to celebrate Aardman's milestone year. Creating something that parents, children and grandparents can enjoy together is exactly what Carrot, and our friends at Aardman, are about."

Molly Van Den Brink, Senior Attractions & Live Experiences Manager at Aardman says:

“What better way to continue our long-standing partnership with Carrot Productions than celebrating our 50th anniversary together, allowing fans of all ages the chance to experience our favourite Aardman moments from the last 50 years in such a joyful and uplifting concert, while introducing children to the wonder of a live orchestra."

Aardman in Concert forms part of Storyhouse’s WayWord Festival, which returns for October half term from 22 October to 1 November with a packed programme of performances, workshops and activities designed to fire young imaginations. On the same day as the concert, families can also take part in special Aardman Claystation workshops, with the chance to make their own Gromit, Shaun or Feathers McGraw clay model to take home.

Suzie Henderson, Creative Director at Storyhouse, said:

“WayWord is now in its fifth year, and I’m delighted that it continues to go from strength to strength. We started WayWord to fire our young visitors’ amazing imaginations and it’s always exciting to see the enthusiasm and creativity they bring to the festival.”

The show builds on Carrot Productions' long-standing creative partnership with Aardman, including the award-winning Wallace & Gromit's Musical Marvels, created for a 38-performance tour in 2019. That production premiered at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield and was attended by Nick Park and Julian Nott, who both studied and met there, and where A Grand Day Out was first conceived. The show went on to win Best Licensed Live Event at the Licensing Excellence Awards 2020, cementing Carrot's reputation for creating distinctive orchestral experiences built around Aardman's most loved characters.

The Chester performance forms part of the wider Aardman in Concert 2026 tour, which visits venues across the country including Birmingham, London, Salisbury, Guildford, Bristol, York, Newcastle, Manchester, Leicester and Nottingham.

Storyhouse Chester is one of the region's leading cultural venues, bringing together theatre, cinema, live performance and community activity in the heart of the city. Housed within Chester's historic former Odeon cinema, Storyhouse welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and has established itself as a major part of the cultural life of Chester and Cheshire.

Tickets for Aardman in Concert at Storyhouse Chester on 26th October 2026 are available now:

https://www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/aardman-in-concert/