Two much-loved animated films, based on books by Raymond Briggs and with music by Howard Blake, will be shown on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve. At 1.45pm is a chance to see the magical piece The Bear, and this is followed at 2.20pm by perennial favourite The Snowman.
Howard Blake will direct live orchestral performances of music from both films in Birmingham (Symphony Hall, 28 Dec) and London (Barbican Centre, 29 Dec). And you can also hear live performances of The Snowman in its various incarnations in December and January - "The Snowman, a Musical Adventure" is at the SFX City Theatre, Dublin until 11 January; "The Snowman Stage Show" is at Sadler's Wells, London until the same date.
