The Snowman is a live and interactive showing of the classic Christmas film presented by Music in the Glen productions led by musician Boris Hunka. Limerick Post talked to Boris about the upcoming show. Made by Channel 4 in 1982, The Snowman is a magical animated film about a snowman who comes to life and goes on an unforgettable adventure with the boy who made him.
This special showing features a live sound-track played by the musicians of the Irish Improvisation Orchestra. It recreates the original score whilst adding an Irish flavour and freshness.
“It is a film that we all grew up with”, explains Boris, “but it does feel very much of its time and the music is very twee in places.” The Improv Orchestra did sound tracks for Bugs Bunny and Laurel and Hardy in previous projects and so has plenty of experience of putting new music to well loved classic films. “It is very different musically but we keep Walking in the Air in the set and at the end of the film there is a snowman dance which turns into a full blown céilidh session with a setdance.”
The Irish Improvisation Orchestra is a fascinating collective of musicians, from widely different musical backgrounds from rock to jazz to classical to traditional Irish, brought together by Hunka. Because of the nature of improvisational music no two shows sound the same and though the core sequences of the sound track are worked out by Boris the group is free to express themselves throughout the performance, “There is no point in getting good guys in and telling them exactly what to play because what they come up with themselves is more interesting,” he explains. “Getting these different musicians together, it opens their own mind. People who play trad tend not to be aware of the jazz mentality and visa versa and classical players are so used to reading what has been written two hundred years ago. But everyone does feed off each other and if the musicians are enjoying themselves, it is much easier for the audience to get into it”.
This interactive show will also give the audience a chance to sing, dance and play along at the party in the north pole. After the film the orchestra will go over the key scenes and the children will get to sing along, join in the snowman dance and even take part in a drum solo with sticks man, Bart Kiely which sounds like great fun. A special visit from the big man in the red suit may just happen too.
The Snowman plays at the Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe 6pm on Friday December 17 and at The Belltable, Limerick, 3pm on Sunday December 19. More info at www.musicintheglen.ie
