Pictures at an Exhibition
February - March 2014

Inspired by the enthusiastic response our Babar and Peter and the Wolf projects received, in 2014 we commissioned Sam Glazer to write a new story inspired by the music of Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’.

Sam then joined forces with pianist Richard Black and dancers Helen Parlor and Johnny Autin to devise a new show which brought music, story-telling and movement together and introduced children to Mussorgsky’s irresistibly dramatic and evocative music.

Stage design

Visual artists Hilary and Graham Roberts of Arts Connection worked with children in three north Powys schools – Guilsfield, Ysgol Bro Cynllaith and Buttington Trewern – to devise vibrant stage designs for the show.

Workshops

Sam, Richard, Helen and Johnny led workshops with an additional four primary schools – Bronllys, Talgarth, Kerry and Maesyrhandir – and the children from these schools performed their new dances on stage as part of the final performances.

Teachers’ feedback

“Thank you, today was fantastic.”

“The stage looked fabulous!”

“… a fantastic experience for the whole school … thoroughly professional & totally enjoyable for children & staff alike!”

“It was wonderful to observe my class completely immersed in the classical music of Mussorgsky.”

Children’s feedback

“My favourite part was the Baba Yaga song.”

“The best bit was performing on stage … I loved the dance workshops: they were awesome!”

Our supporters

We are grateful to the Arts Council of Wales, Brecon Town Council, Trusthouse Charitable Foundation and Powys County Council for their generous support of this project.