Review: The Wrong Trousers with Live Brass Band,  Woolwich Works

Woolwich Works has hosted an array of entertainment for the whole family this autumn. From interactive musicals to craft workshops to comedy, they’ve had it all. Concluding the activities in style is a showing of Aardman Animations’ short film The Wrong Trousers, with the original score played live by a full brass band.

Today, an audience of young and old is welcomed by host Mike Poyser. He introduces conductor Phil Chalk and the 28 players of Fairey Band, a historic, award-winning ensemble, who are all dressed in traditional, charmingly retro blue uniforms. It’s a warm and welcoming atmosphere, but within minutes, an introductory piece, ‘Nordic Polska’, demonstrates the stunning power of the brass band. In a modern world where things are so often virtual and intangible, it’s nothing short of electrifying to be in this space where the music is visceral and exciting; it feels like being in an episode of Thunderbirds when the playing takes off, shaking the room. The audience sat up straight in their seats, eager to hear more, and several youngsters nearby were literally bouncing up and down as the vibrant sound created auditory fireworks.

To warm us up, Poyser talks through the different parts of the band, from the tiniest instrument (the soprano cornet) to the biggest bass tuba. In between, we meet the morphing trombones and the comprehensive percussion section, including vibraphone, glockenspiel, timpani and even a full drum kit. The children in the audience were captivated, and I found myself wondering where else they might be offered such knowledge of a band these days, as cuts to the arts impact on school engagement with live performance.

To hear this band is to recognise human capability in a way we rarely do, as a combination of pieces of metal, wood, and people reveals extraordinary possibility and achievement. The musicians’ talent is demonstrated in a textured programme. The next piece, ‘Rainforest’, featuring Daniel Marsh on tenor horn, shows a softer side to the band, with beautiful lilting tones and an accompanying slide presentation allowing us to visually forest bathe. This is swiftly followed by a hugely impressive performance of ‘The Dance of the Goblins’ by Peter McDonough on the euphonium, whose hands are simply a blur as they rapidly cover the instrument, while his breath control is staggering.

Not to be outdone, the percussion section next brings on the big guns in the shape of xylophone player Beth Cordall, whose performance of JS Bach’s ‘Toccata in D’ fills the room with a flurry of energy and fantastic, frenetic playing.

The headline piece today, however, is a showing of The Wrong Trousers, currently celebrating its 30-year anniversary. It’s hard to grasp how such an iconic film can be only 30 minutes long, but within that half hour is some of the funniest, most exciting animation ever created. The bold brass band plays Julian Nott’s original score live with absolute precision, and everything about the absurd story is heightened, giving additional depth. The tension, the humour, the pace and the overall quality of the film become utterly epic, particularly in the hilarious escape scene, as a small penguin and a dog race each other on a miniature railway across the living room carpet. The whole room was laughing out loud: who would have thought this absolute classic could be made even better?

It’s quite something to turn a familiar film inside out, allowing us to understand the inner workings of the score and celebrate the talent behind it. And what a great opportunity for a family audience to get up close and personal to the power of the brass band. This is a grand day out for all ages, which will leave a smile on everyone’s face.

Introduced by Mike Poyser
Conductor: Phil Chalk

This performance at Woolwich Works is now finished,
but you can find out more about the Fairey Band below.