A FAIRY-tale-themed concert performed by the Westmorland Orchestra comes to Kendal this weekend.

The concert, taking place on Sunday, December 3, will also feature dramatist Chris Taylor reading out Scary Fairy Saves Christmas which is a fairy tale written by comedian Craig Charles. 

"We are presenting a fairy-tale-themed concert that will appeal to adults and children" says Georgina Perkins, who plays violin in the orchestra.

"There is something for everyone - the romantic, classical melodies of the Sleeping Beauty Suite, the strange magic as the mythical Firebird uses dance to free princesses, and the festivities conjured up by Leroy Anderson's Christmas music." 

Chris said: "I'm very excited to be telling the tale Scary Fairy Saves Christmas.  The story is by Craig Charles, and as a long-time fan of Red Dwarf, taking his place will be great fun."

He last narrated with the Westmorland Orchestra 40 years ago when they performed Peter and the Wolf. 

The music to Scary Fairy is written by Iain Farrington and features each section of the orchestra representing different characters or themes. 

The Westmorland Orchestra say that it gives the audience the opportunity to hear the sort of music not often associated with a symphony orchestra, with lots of brass, exciting rhythms and unusual percussion as the modern Christmas fairy tale unfolds.

Melvin Tay will be conducting the concert. He has conducted the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester Camerata and the Lakeland Sinfonia. Melvin said: "I am really enjoying working with the Westmorland Orchestra, the music is fabulous and I am sure the concert will be enjoyed by all, whether at their first or fiftieth orchestra concert."

The Westmorland Orchestra Family Christmas Concert is at 3pm at the Kendal Leisure Centre.

Tickets are £15 (free for under 19s and full-time students) and are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/wes and will be available on the door.
More information is available at www.WestmorlandOrchestra.org.uk

The Westmorland Orchestra consists mainly of amateur musicians who are joined by professionals for concerts. Players come from Cumbria, Lancashire and Manchester.