Sinbad the Sailor and the stories of Scheherazade


For the last four years I’ve been working with the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra on a series of children’s concerts. I think what we do together is pretty unique and is certainly a highlight of my year. Apart from narrating stories around sections of the music I also illustrate them at an easel as the orchestra play. This is then projected onto a screen behind the orchestra so everyone can see the pictures grow in time to the music.

It’s a bit of tight-rope walk, which takes months to prepare and lots of careful rehearsing. But I love it and believe truly it is the very best way to introduce children to classical music. The concerts are fun and exciting yet also true to the composer and stories.

Since I was a child I have loved Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade” and at last I am able to bring the original stories alive in words and pictures with an orchestra. I am so excited. What could be a better theme than that of the world’s greatest storyteller, Scheherazade herself? Her immortal stories include Sinbad the sailor and many other fabulous tales of geniis and magic and monsters. I’ve been researching and planning since March and I truly believe this concert will be the best ever!

As you can see, I have been experimenting with posters and advertising… hard to get right when so much information needs to be conveyed…

It takes place at a fantastic modern theatre, The Weston Auditorium on the de Havilland campus of the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield – only 20 minutes out of London. And the date?

NOVEMBER 6th 2011 two performances at 2pm and 4.30pm

Obviously we can only continue this distinguished series with an audience. So please spread the word and come if you can. I promise you an unforgettable afternoon of music, art and stories!

Booking opens on Tuesday August 30th: Box office: 01707 281127

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

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James Mayhew

James is the creator of the much-loved Katie and Ella Bella Ballerina series and has written or illustrated many other books, including Koshka’s Tales, Mouse & Mole (by Joyce Dunbar) and Gaspard the Fox (by Zeb Soanes). Alongside his work in publishing, James performs live on stage during concerts for children, combining live classical music, storytelling and art.

2 responses to “Sinbad the Sailor and the stories of Scheherazade”

  1. Charlotte avatar

    James that is wonderful, what are you using, oil pastels or paint? I would give my eye teeth to come. If we can find the cash I may persuade the boys and Tim to come with me.

  2. James Mayhew avatar

    Oh DO come if you possibly can!!! tickets are very reasonable – £5 for children £12 for adults. I’m experimenting with paints at the moment. It needs to be fast and silent… I may use emulsion paint or acrylic. Also I’ll be painting on BLACK canvasses or boards… Each piece of music is only 10 minutes long, so I need to be really swift!!! But the stories are astonishing, I love them. Some quite rare ones…

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