1:54 PM 31st July 2026
Aardman In Concert Arrives At York Barbican
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.
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. York is a city with such a rich cultural heritage and a strong tradition of welcoming audiences for live performance, so it feels like a wonderful place 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."
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.
Carrot Productions is already well known to York audiences through its annual sell-out performances of The Snowman with live orchestra at York Barbican, making Aardman in Concert the latest chapter in the company's long-standing relationship with the venue.
The York performance forms part of the wider Aardman in Concert 2026 tour, which will visit venues across the country including Birmingham, London, Salisbury, Guildford, Bristol, Newcastle, Manchester, Leicester, Nottingham and Chester.
York Barbican is one of the city's leading entertainment venues, hosting an extensive programme of concerts, comedy, family shows and cultural events throughout the year. Welcoming audiences from across Yorkshire and beyond, the venue has established itself as a key destination for live performance in the region.