Enchanted Creatures Tour

Enchanted Creatures and How to Become One brings animated tales from around the world to life — dancing frogs, a blue-grassing grasshopper, and a hedgehog lost in the fog — with a live score performed on hand-crafted instruments made by young people from the Wilderwoods education initiative, alongside contributions from four continents.

Using hands, voices and these unique sounds, audience members become enchanted creatures, discovering their own voice before joining together to animate the screen, adding rhythm, music and effects to every story.

From Lotte Reiniger’s shadow-puppet magic to the wild rumpus of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, cinema becomes something you can hear, feel and play.

Guided by musicians Caelia (violin), Celeste (trumpet) and Kieron (guitar, keyboard), the enchanted creatures bring every cue and effect to life as the films unfold.

For ages 5+. Please keep phones tucked away — this is a screen-free wild rumpus.

What does a spirit animal sound like? This immersive cinema experience brings painted animation to life with live music, storytelling, voices, instruments and sound effects.

In XOLO, a beautifully painted animation inspired by Mexican art and Día de Muertos, we meet the Xoloitzcuintli (show-low-eets-QUEENT-lee), the ancient Mexican dog believed to guide spirits between worlds. We play live music to the film, giving this extraordinary animal its own sound.

Then comes a magical battle between two wizards, who transform into a furious cockerel, a scorpion, a dragon and a condor in the spectacular Wizards’ Battle from Lotte Reiniger’s 100 year old classic The Adventures of Prince Achmed. We create the live soundtrack together, using voices, instruments and sound effects to bring each transformation to life.

Come dressed as your favourite creature if you like, and leave your phone tucked away. For ages 5+.

Supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding through the Audience Projects Fund.

Please note, not all events are live yet. Please follow us @theenchantedcinema for weekly updates.